WASHINGTON – West Virginia officials are reacting to President Donald Trump’s nomination of Federal Appeals Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.
Trump announced the selection of Gorsuch, a 49-year-old judge from Colorado, at the White House Tuesday as the Senate continues the confirmation proceedings for Trump’s Cabinet nominees.
Gorsuch was appointed to the 10th District Court of Appeals in 2006 after being nominated by then-President George W. Bush.
In a statement, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said Gorsuch is “a well-respected, seasoned judge with unparalleled qualifications and experience.”
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., also released a statement, saying he looks forward to reviewing Gorsuch’s qualifications.
“Senators should meet with him, we should debate his qualifications on the Senate floor and cast whatever vote we believe he deserves,” Manchin said. “Just as I have all along, I urge my colleagues to put partisan politics aside and allow the vetting process to proceed.”
Both Reps. David McKinley, R-W.Va., and Evan Jenkins, R-W.Va., said in separate statements they liked Trump’s choice to fill the seat of Justice Antonin Scalia, who passed away last February.
“President Trump pledged to the American people that he would appoint a conservative constitutionalist to the Court and Neil Gorsuch’s record reflects that he will not legislate from the bench,” McKinley said.
“President Trump’s selection of Judge Gorsuch for the U.S. Supreme Court is a sound and conservative choice,” Jenkins said. “In his more than a decade as a federal judge, he has demonstrated a respect for the letter of the law, the intent of our Founding Fathers, and the ideals of our Constitution.”
West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said he is in favor of Gorsuch, and hopes he is confirmed to the Supreme Court.
“This is an opportunity to really get someone in place who will care about the rule of law and the Constitution,” Morrisey said.
Gorsuch will next have to pass Senate confirmation hearings, after which the chamber will vote on his nomination.