Pence: ‘Supreme Court Belongs to the American People’

Vice President Mike Pence made the case for President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch while reprimanding Senate Democrats during an address Saturday to the Federalist Society.

Speaking at Congress Hall in Philadelphia, Pence praised Trump for his work toward fulfilling his sweeping campaign promises during his first few weeks in office. One of Trump’s most important promises, however, involved his vow to nominate a candidate to the Supreme Court that fit the mold left behind by the late Justice Antonin Scalia.

“And make no mistake about it, my friends in the Federalist Society, we’re in the promise-keeping business in Washington, D.C. now.”

“You know, the American people elected President Trump, I believe, in significant part because of his vow to do just that — to nominate someone to the Supreme Court in the mold of … Justice Antonin Scalia,” Pence told the Federalist Society. “But this was President Trump’s promise. And make no mistake about it, my friends in the Federalist Society, we’re in the promise-keeping business in Washington, D.C., now.”

But many Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), have indicated they will fight Gorsuch’s nomination. With just a 52-48 majority, Senate Republicans would be unable to confirm Gorsuch if the Democrats unanimously voted along party lines — unless the Republicans implemented the “nuclear option,” which would require only 51 votes.

“By the grace of God, and with what I know will be the tireless efforts of everyone in this room, I believe Neil Gorsuch soon take his seat as an associate justice on the Supreme Court of the United States,” Pence said.

“It should be abundantly clear that Judge Neil Gorsuch is indeed a worthy successor to Justice Antonin Scalia. He is cut from the same cloth. Our Constitution and our country will be stronger with him on the Supreme Court,” Pence added. “But we’re not there yet, which is why I’m here. First, of course, we must abide by the Constitution and secure the ‘advice and consent of the Senate.'”

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Pence noted Senate Democrats had no issue unanimously confirming Gorsuch to the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2006.

“When you get right down to it, Judge Gorsuch, plain and simple, is one of the most mainstream, respected, and exceptionally qualified Supreme Court nominees in American history. But don’t take my word for it … the Senate confirmed him by a unanimous voice vote, and nearly a third of those senators, on both sides of the aisle, are still serving in the Senate today.”

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Pointing to Gorsuch’s record of “upholding the separation of powers and the checks and balances between the three branches,” Pence sought to assuage Democrats’ fears that Gorsuch would be Trump’s puppet by noting that the judge has “restrict[ed] the national government to the specific and enumerated powers enshrined in the Constitution, while leaving to the states much more sizable control over their lives and destinies.”

The day after Trump announced Gorsuch as his nominee, Pence escorted the federal judge to Capitol Hill. Gorsuch, who has already met with 12 senators from both political parties, is willing to meet with all 100 senators “if they’re willing to meet with him,” Pence said.

“Of course, several announced their opposition within minutes of his nomination. And now they’re even threatening to filibuster procedure in the Senate to stop him. Make no mistake about it, this would be an unwise and an unprecedented act,” Pence said.

“This seat does not belong to any party, or any ideology, or any interest group. This seat on the Supreme Court belongs to the American people, and the American people deserve a vote on the floor of the United States Senate,” Pence concluded. “Under President Trump’s leadership, we are returning power to the American people, the rightful rulers of the greatest nation the world has ever known.”