Statement from Demos President Heather McGhee on Senate Judiciary Committee Hearings on Judge Gorsuch’s Nomination to the Supreme Court

March 23, 2017 (New York, NY) – At the conclusion of the four day Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Judge Neil Gorsuch’s nomination to the Supreme Court, Heather McGhee, President of Demos, released the following statement:

“Today, I had the opportunity to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee about Demos’ deep concerns over the nomination of Judge Gorsuch for a lifetime appointment on the highest court.

“This week, Judge Gorsuch had repeated opportunities to answer Senators' questions and clarify his views on whether the Constitution protects the rights and voices of all Americans. Instead, Judge Gorsuch dodged and weaved. His troubling record and refusal to address these critical questions require the Senate to reject his nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court.

“I told the Members of the Committee that what’s at stake is not just the critical issues like women’s health care access, voting rights, and worker protections, but the way we make decisions about all of the issues we face as a nation, and whose voices are heard in that process. Judge Gorsuch has the potential to be the deciding vote to destroy the few remaining safeguards against big money dominating our politics completely.  His nomination during this time of grave uncertainty over the legitimacy of this administration should be enough to halt this critical process in order to ensure that our democracy has not been compromised. We need a judge on the bench who will uphold the principles of our democracy and the value of all of our voices, and there has been no indication that Judge Gorsuch is who Americans can trust to have their best interest at heart.

As the FBI continues its investigation into the Trump administration and their associates' involvement with Russian officials’ interference in the 2016 presidential election, it is also my belief that this Committee should not move forward with Judge Gorsuch’s nomination until a full investigation has been conducted.”

Heather McGhee’s full testimony submitted for the record today can be found here. For Demos’ report: Court Cash, which quantified for the first time the direct impact of four of the Supreme Court’s significant money in politics cases on 2016 election spending, see here. For Demos’ fact sheet on Judge Gorsuch’s record on money in politics, please see here. For an FAQ on the role of the Supreme Court and money in politics, here. For a racial equity analysis of money in politics and the Supreme Court, here.

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