Florida leaders, elected officials call on Sens. Nelson and Rubio to reject Neil Gorsuch, Trump’s Supreme Court nominee

During a press call today, Florida leaders and elected officials called on Sens. Nelson and Rubio to reject Neil Gorsuch, President Donald Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court. Neil Gorsuch has made clear that he’ll put the interests of the wealthy and powerful above the rights of ordinary Americans. This nomination poses a unique threat to the rights of women, immigrants, LGBTQ people, and working families.
Shevrin Jones, State Representative:
“Americans count on the Supreme Court to protect the rights of all people, not just the rich and powerful. Judge Gorsuch, though, has repeatedly ruled in favor of big corporations, hurting working people and everyday Americans. If Gorsuch is confirmed to the bench, we’d see him sacrifice the rights of working people, stack the deck against consumers and in favor of corporations, and restrict access to health care for women and millions of poor Americans. Judge Gorsuch was hand-picked by powerful institutions for his loyalty to a judicial ideology that sacrifices the interests of ordinary Americans.”
Daisy Baez, State Representative:
“When I was serving in the Army, I took an oath to defend the U.S. Constitution. When I became a U.S. citizen, I took an oath to defend the Constitution. And when I was sworn in as a state representative, I took an oath to defend the Constitution.  So here I am, defending the Constitution! Americans need a Supreme Court that will protect our Constitutional rights and promote justice for all, including American immigrants. Unfortunately, Judge Gorsuch will be anything but a fair-minded judge who protects all Americans. He’s tried to make it harder for Americans to hold big corporations accountable, and he would be a rubber stamp—not the check the judiciary is supposed to be—for Trump and his administration.”
Tony Lima, Executive Director of SAVE:
“Freedom, opportunity, and equality for all are essential principles of the American Dream.  Americans have often turned to the Supreme Court to uphold those values and reject policies based in bigotry and discrimination. But Judge Gorsuch would turn his back on LGBTQ rights. His ruling in Hobby Lobby, which allowed corporations to refuse to offer birth control as part of healthcare coverage, raises serious red flags. And Gorsuch has criticized those who turn to the courts to protect LGBTQ rights! We insist that our Senators stand up for Floridians and fundamental American and constitutional principles and say no to Gorsuch.”
Damien Filer, Why Courts Matter Coalition spokesperson:
“In the system of checks and balances designed by our country’s founders, the Supreme Court plays a crucial role in defending the promises of the Constitution.  But that only works if we have Supreme Court justices who are willing to do so. When we don’t, we can see disastrous results, like the Supreme Court’s conservatives voting to gut the Voting Rights Act, and opening the door to politicians making it harder for people to vote. Americans have made it clear that they are willing to stand up to our new president when he betrays our constitutional values.  The Senate has a responsibility to ensure this nominee won’t be a rubber stamp for President Trump, especially when Trump’s actions threaten fundamental principles like religious or reproductive freedom, the rights of workers and the rights of all Americans to breathe clean air. We urge Floridians to get informed, get engaged and get active and let Senators Nelson and Rubio know this nominee is simply out of touch with mainstream American values.