A great pick for Supreme Court

A Great Pick for Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the land. Established by Article III of the Constitution, the men and women appointed to the Supreme Court have the responsibility of deciding some of the toughest constitutional questions facing our country today. Just days ago, President Trump nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch to be the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.

The president’s power to make nominations to the Supreme Court is one that has lasting effects on the legal landscape of our country for generations to come. A justice’s service – an appointment for life – extends well beyond the term of the president that nominates them. That is precisely why it is important that the next justice be one who will uphold the original meaning of the Constitution, judge cases fairly before the Court, and one that has true respect for the Constitution’s place in our system of government and the limited powers it grants.

Judge Gorsuch is a great pick, and his career on the federal bench has proven that he is committed to upholding these principles found in our country’s most sacred document. In fact, I had the opportunity to meet Judge Gorsuch, and his wife, at the White House on the night of his nomination, and I am extremely encouraged by President Trump’s selection of a “by the book” judge.

At age 49, Judge Gorsuch’s resume and history of service is impressive. Hailing from Colorado, he served for over a decade on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit after previously being approved for this role by a voice vote in the U.S. Senate. Additionally, Judge Gorsuch served as a Clerk for Justice Kennedy and former Justice White. I continue to review his decisions and writings, but it is clear that Judge Gorsuch will be a defender of life and religious freedoms and a strict follower of the intent of our Constitution and laws.

Senate Republicans wanted the voters to have a say in who should nominate the next Supreme Court justice. The people entrusted President Trump to make nominations such as Judge Gorsuch to the federal bench when he was elected in November, and I am pleased that the President is keeping his promise to the people. Judge Gorsuch is eminently qualified, respects the Constitution and the rule of law, and I hope to see him confirmed by the Senate as the 113th Supreme Court justice. Click here for my full weekly column.

Earlier this Week…

On Monday, I toured the Virginia Inland Port in Front Royal. Later in the week, I ran into a group from the Virginia Mentoring Partnership stopping by for a meeting.

Protecting Second Amendment Rights

This week, the House of Representatives acted to protect Americans’ constitutional rights.

In the final days of the Obama Administration, the Social Security Administration issued a rule requiring bureaucrats to forward the names of beneficiaries who have been deemed unable to manage their own affairs to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), which would prohibit them from purchasing a firearm. The rule covers people receiving Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income benefits and who need a representative payee to manage their affairs. The people affected by this rule are not given the option to appeal the removal of their names from the database until after they’ve already lost their Second Amendment right.

When the rule was proposed, it received over 91,000 comments, most of them in opposition. The National Council on Disability, an independent federal agency making recommendations to the President and Congress to enhance the quality of life for all Americans with disabilities, has called on Congress to take action to repeal this rule.

This rule is discriminatory and deprives law-abiding Americans of their constitutional rights. There is no evidence suggesting that those receiving disability benefits from Social Security are a threat to public safety. Once an unelected bureaucrat unfairly adds these folks to the federal background check system, they are no longer able to exercise their Second Amendment right and face a cumbersome appeals process to remove their names from the system.

I am pleased that the House of Representatives acted swiftly to repeal this egregious rule and send the strong message that we will protect Americans’ constitutional rights. I urge the Senate to pass it without delay. Click here for more information.

Iran’s Actions Must Not Be Ignored

Iran’s track record has made it clear that they do not intend to play by the rules. Since the signing of the flawed nuclear agreement by the Obama Administration, Iran has deliberately violated a U.N. resolution by conducting multiple ballistic missile tests. On Sunday, the Iranian regime reportedly defied international law once again by launching another test weapon.

Iran’s ballistic missile tests fly in the face of its neighbors in the Middle East and the United States, and this blatant defiance cannot be swept under the rug. Today, President Trump announced new sanctions on Iran. This is the right move. Unlike the Iran Nuclear Agreement, which has done little to curb Iran’s aggression, the United States must stand our ground against Iran’s dangerous actions, and take a strong foreign policy stance to hold the Iranian regime accountable. Ignoring Iran’s hostility is far too great of a risk.