Senate Judiciary Commitee chairman Chuck Grassley, who will play the key role in overseeing Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch’s confirmation process, talked up his relationship with ranking member Dianne Feinstein in an interview with Roll Call’s Niels Lesniewski.
Feinstein, the California Democrat, is a bellwether for how her party—divided over how to challenge and possibly resist Gorsuch—will handle the coming weeks.
Feinstein, unlike some of her more hardline colleagues, did not come out strong against Gorsuch the evening he was announced as Trump’s pick for the High Court. As to be expected, she expressed concerns about the Colorado judge’s judicial philosophy, but she did not establish a test he must pass to earn her support. Her one specific objection was to Gorsuch’s opinion in the Hobby Lobby case, which his U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit heard before it went to the Supreme Court.
“Evaluating Supreme Court nominees is among our most important responsibilities as senators and over the last few days we’ve seen the importance of an independent judiciary. I’ve repeatedly stated that the next justice must have respect for precedent, be within the mainstream and protect the fundamental rights guaranteed by our Constitution. Judge Gorsuch has a long record and it will take time to conduct a thorough review,” Feinstein said.
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