President Donald Trump announced on Monday that federal Judge Brett Kavanaugh is his pick to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy on the US Supreme Court, a move that will likely solidify the bench's conservative tilt for many years to come.
Tennessee GOP:
"Phony Phil Bredesen already has two million reasons to fall in line with Chuck Schumer’s agenda - the top of that list is blocking the President’s good nominees to the Supreme Court. He can spew moderate talking points all he wants, but the fact remains national Democrats who are propping up his candidacy will call on him to block Judge Brett Kavanaugh's nomination, and he will fall right in line. After all he was personally recruited by Chuck Schumer. Tennesseans want a Senator who will support the President’s good constitutionalist nominees like Judge Kavanaugh, and they can’t trust Phil Bredesen to do that."
Tennessee Democratic Party:
“We know this Supreme Court confirmation process will be a long, hard battle and there is no doubt that if Brett Kavanaugh is confirmed, we will be at risk of losing some of our most important rights and protections, like the protections provided by the Affordable Care Act,” Mancini said. “During this process, our goal in Tennessee will be to stand strong for our values and focus on electing more Democrats -- from the Courthouse to the U.S. Senate -- who will ensure that every Tennessean, no matter who you are, what you look like, or where you live, will have the opportunity for a better life for yourself and your family.”
Lamar Alexander:
The President has nominated a well-qualified jurist. Unfortunately, the Senate has gotten into a bad habit of treating good people as 'innocent until nominated.' Instead, I hop this confirmation process will be conducted with dignity and respect so that we may learn more about Judge Kavanaugh's character, temperament and attitudes.
Diane Black:
I applaud President Trump for choosing to nominate Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court. While Mr. Kavanaugh's qualifications to defend the constitution and uphold the law speak for themselves, his conservative perspective is one the high court sorely needs. i urge my colleagues in the Senate to quickly confirm him, an I look forward to seeing the ways he impacts the court.
Sen. Bob Corker:
The Supreme Court plays a crucial role in our democracy, and the process of advice and consent on presidential nominations is one of the most serious responsibilities we have as United States senators. For more than 12 years, Judge Kavanaugh has served honorably on the federal bench, hearing critical cases before the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. He is a well-respected jurist who understands the importance of upholding the Constitution and applying the law in a fair and independent manner i look forward to meeting with Judge Kavanaugh during the confirmation process.
Steve Cohen:
“It is a sadly predictable and a foregone conclusion that Trump’s pick, from a shortlist approved by Leonard Leo and The Federalist Society, an extreme conservative legal group, will not only entrench the 5-4 conservative dominance that gave us Citizens United, gutted the Voting Rights Act and, in its most recent term, trampled on labor rights and gave extremists the right to discriminate and erode the protections long afforded minorities, but will move the Court even further to the right. I have profound concerns that, with the choice of Brett Kavanaugh, the Court will be further emboldened to roll back women’s reproductive rights, voting rights, affirmative action in higher education and other guarantees of democracy and equal opportunity.”
Marsha Blackburn:
“Judge Brett Kavanaugh will make a fine Supreme Court Justice, and I thank President Trump for nominating a strong constitutionalist with a proven track record of upholding the rule of law. Tennesseans are frustrated by liberal activist judges and justices who too often legislate from the bench. I know they will be well served by Judge Kavanaugh, and I encourage the Senate to consider his nomination expeditiously and continue to confirm strict constitutionalist judges to our federal courts.”
