On the recordApril 4, 2017
we are continuing to debate the nomination of Judge Gorsuch to serve as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. My colleagues on both sides of the aisle have said that this is an important moment for the Senate. I couldn't agree more. I think it is important to reflect on why we are here and how we got here. Before I turn to the Supreme Court and the current debate, let me take just a few minutes to talk about lower court nominees and provide a little bit of history and context, especially for the benefit of some of the Senators who weren't here over the last few years. I am going to start way back in the spring of 2001. President George W. Bush had just been elected President. As we all know, it was a close election, and it was hard fought. The Senate was closely divided, with the Republicans in control. Given how close the Presidential election was, there were elements of the hard left who refused to accept the results of that election. Some blamed Ralph Nader, others blamed Governor Jeb Bush, and still others blamed the Supreme Court. Many on the hard left claimed that President George W. Bush wasn't a ``legitimate'' President. Liberal interest groups were egging on the Democratic leadership to fight the new President at every turn. That still sounds very familiar for this year we are in.…





