Schumer Floor Remarks on the Vote to Confirm Judge Gorsuch and Recent U.S. Military Action in Syria
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today delivered remarks on the Senate floor outlining his opposition to confirming Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court and Leader McConnell’s choice to invoke the ‘nuclear option’ as well as responding to last night’s U.S. military action in Syria. Below are his remarks:
Madam President, first let me address the nomination of Judge Gorsuch, which will soon proceed to a final vote over the objection of us Democrats. Even though Democrats had principled reasons to oppose this Judge, even though we offered, many times, to meet with the Majority to discuss a new nominee and a way forward – the Republicans chose to break the rules and erase the 60-vote threshold for all judicial nominations.
They had many options and they chose the nuclear option.
I believe it will make this body a more partisan place – making the cooling saucer of the Senate considerably hotter. And I believe it will make the Supreme Court a more partisan place. As a result, American’s faith in the integrity of the Court and their trust in the basic impartiality of the law will suffer. Prior to yesterday’s cloture vote, I shared my views on this moment at length, and I will let those comments stand in the record.
As I’ve said repeatedly: Let us go no further down this road. I hope the Republican leader and I can, in the coming months, find a way to build a firewall around the legislative filibuster, which is the most important distinction between the Senate and the House. Without the 60-vote threshold for legislation, the Senate becomes a majoritarian institution like the House, much more subject to the winds of short-term electoral change. No Senator would like to see that happen, so let’s find a way to further protect the 60-vote rule for legislation.
Madam President, since he will soon become the ninth Justice on the Supreme Court, I hope Judge Gorsuch has listened to our debate here in the Senate, particularly our concerns about the Supreme Court’s increasing drift towards becoming a more pro-corporate court that favors employers, corporations and special interests over working Americans. There is anger and sourness in the land because average people aren't getting a fair shake compared to the powerful. In many cases, the Supreme Court is the last resort for everyday Americans who are seeking fairness and justice against forces much larger than themselves. At a time when folks are struggling to stay in the middle class, and are struggling as hard as ever to get into the middle class, we need a Justice on the Court who will help swing it back in the direction of the people.
So we are charging Judge Gorsuch to be the independent and fair minded Justice that America badly needs. If he is, instead, a Justice for the Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation, that will spell trouble for America.
Finally, Madam President, on Syria.
I salute the professionalism and skill of our Armed Forces who took action last night. The people of Syria have suffered untold horrors and violence at the hands of Bashar al-Assad and his supporters in Tehran and Putin’s Russia. Making sure that Assad knows that when he commits such despicable atrocities he will pay a price is the right thing to do. It is now incumbent on the Trump administration to come up with a coherent strategy and consult with Congress before implementing it.
