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

April 3, 2017 (New York, NY) – Heather McGhee, President of Demos, released the following statement after today’s Senator Judiciary Committee vote on Judge Gorsuch’s nomination to the Supreme Court:

“The next Supreme Court justice will have a pivotal role in ensuring our Constitution protects the rights and voices of all Americans. Judge Gorsuch has the potential to be the deciding vote to destroy the few remaining safeguards against big money dominating our politics completely. Gorsuch’s record and his refusal to answer critical questions during his hearing require the Senate to reject his nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court.

“We stand with the 41 Senators opposing Judge Gorsuch, including the 20 (and counting) who have expressed concerns that he will elevate the wealthy over working families, particularly by allowing the size of ones’ wallet to determine the strength of their voice.

“Without 60 votes in the Senate, Judge Gorsuch should not receive a lifetime seat on the nation’s highest Court. In this case, the proper course is to change the nominee, not the Senate rules.

“Further, this nomination comes during a time of grave uncertainty over the legitimacy of Trump’s administration. This should be enough to halt this critical process in order to ensure that our democracy has not been compromised.

“As the FBI and two congressional committees continue their investigations into the Trump administration and its associates' involvement with Russian officials’ interference in the 2016 presidential election, the U.S. Senate should not move forward with Judge Gorsuch’s nomination until a full investigation has been conducted, and should certainly not ‘go nuclear’ to push through a lifetime appointment of a president whose legitimacy is subject to serious questions.”

Heather McGhee’s full Senate Judiciary Committee testimony submitted for the record 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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