Maryland Leadership Response To SCOTUS Nominee Brett Kavanaugh
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- When President Donald Trump officially nominated Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, many in Maryland leadership had strong opinions about his choice.
Kavanaugh, a Marylander himself from Bethesda, currently serves as a judge on the powerful US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
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Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat, tweeted that "Americans deserve a Supreme Court justice who will stand up for liberty and justice for all - not someone picked from a list compiled by right-wing organizations to do their bidding. Kavanaugh does not meet that basic standard of fairness and impartiality, and I cannot support him."
Americans deserve a Supreme Court justice who will stand up for liberty and justice for all—not someone picked from a list compiled by right-wing organizations to do their bidding. Kavanaugh does not meet that basic standard of fairness and impartiality, and I cannot support him. pic.twitter.com/cFeVi3hxP6
— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) July 10, 2018
Representative Andy Harris, a Republican, tweeted that Kavanaugh "is a fine choice," a "brilliant legal mind," and is "well suited to follow in the footsteps of Justice Kennedy." He says he hopes the Senate will "confirm him without delay."
My statement on President Trump's #SCOTUS nominee, Judge Brett Kavanaugh: pic.twitter.com/eX5XA5cXi1
— Rep. Andy Harris, MD (@RepAndyHarrisMD) July 10, 2018
Representative Elijah Cummings, a Democrat, tweeted "We must have a Justice who will apply the law fairly even for the most vulnerable among us, and not interpret it to protect the privileges of the most powerful. Judge Kavanaugh will not be that Justice."
We must have a Justice who will apply the law fairly even for the most vulnerable among us, and not interpret it to protect the privileges of the most powerful. Judge Kavanaugh will not be that Justice. https://t.co/b1QwLE3pjr
— Elijah E. Cummings (@RepCummings) July 10, 2018
Representative Steny Hoyer, a Democrat, tweeted "I strongly urge Senators on both sides of the aisle – especially those who have come together before to defeat efforts to repeal the ACA and roll back reproductive health care rights – to defeat this nomination."
Rep. Hoyer explained that Kavanaugh "has a record of opposition to the [Affordable Care Act] and women's reproductive rights."
I strongly urge Senators on both sides of the aisle – especially those who have come together before to defeat efforts to repeal the ACA and roll back reproductive health care rights – to defeat this nomination. #StopKavanaugh
— Steny Hoyer (@LeaderHoyer) July 10, 2018
Senator Ben Cardin, a Democrat, tweeted out a statement saying he was concerned that Kavanaugh would "undermine the rule of law and allow unchecked abuse of presidential power by deferring criminal investigations and prosecutions of presidential misconduct until after President Trump leaves offices."
The Supreme Court was designed as an independent check on both legislative and executive power. It should not be a rubber stamp on the extreme partisan positions of the president. #ScotusPick #WhatsAtStake pic.twitter.com/WIgb1uxcTt
— Senator Ben Cardin (@SenatorCardin) July 10, 2018
Democratic candidate for Governor Ben Jealous tweeted "we are now facing the most conservative Supreme Court in a generation."
We are now facing the most conservative Supreme Court in a generation, making it absolutely necessary we have a governor with the courage and experience to protect our values. https://t.co/CAQezSQdfg
— Ben Jealous (@BenJealous) July 10, 2018
The Senate is expected to vote on Kavanaugh's nomination in the fall.
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