FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2017

 

INDEPENDENT WOMEN'S FORUM STATEMENT

FROM JUDGE TO JUSTICE: GORSUCH IS HIGHLY CREDENTIALED AND A BELIEVER IN THE RULE OF LAW

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the Senate confirmation of Judge Neil Gorsuch as the late Justice Antonin Scalia's successor at the U.S. Supreme Court, Erin Hawley, legal fellow at the Independent Women's Forum, associate professor of law at the University of Missouri, and former clerk to Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., said:

"Today, it is worth taking a moment to reflect on the late Justice Antonin Scalia. Justice Scalia made a profound impact on the law. He reminded us that words matter, especially when those words are found in the Constitution or a federal statute. He was a steadfast proponent of Originalism–the idea that the Constitution should be tied to original meaning, not the present-day interpretation of unelected judges. He also advocated for Textualism–the idea that courts should interpret statutes according to their words, not some amorphous purpose, or worse, what a judge thinks a statute ought to say. These twin theories reshaped American law for the better. They preserve fundamental separation of powers principles and reserve law-making to the elected branches.

"The Senate did much to preserve his legacy today when they confirmed Tenth Circuit Judge Neil Gorsuch. Judge Gorsuch is exceptionally qualified. Even those opposing him recognize his exceptional credentials and superb judicial demeanor. Importantly, Judge Gorsuch is committed to the rule of law, not judge-made law. He believes that his role as a judge is to interpret statutes, not create them. These principles are fundamental to preserving our republic. Highly credentialed and a believer in the rule of law, Judge Gorsuch is just the person to succeed the irreplaceable Justice Scalia."
 

 

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Independent Women's Forum works to improve the lives of Americans by increasing the number of women who value free-markets and personal liberty.