Today, State Representative Jay Fant made the following statement following the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Judge Neil Gorsuch as the next Supreme Court Justice:
“Judge Neil Gorsuch’s confirmation for the Supreme Court makes this a great day for America. His deep and abiding commitment to the U.S. Constitution combined with his humility, intellect, and fair-mindedness make him a superb addition to our nation’s highest court. He has demonstrated that Americans can count on him to respect the separation of powers and interpret the law rather than re-make it according to his personal political preferences. I look forward to the contributions his presence on the bench will make to our republic for generations to come.”
About Jay Fant for State Representative
Jay Fant’s strong ties to Jacksonville began when his grandfather’s family moved to the city in 1920. Jay’s father and grandfather have been local business and civic leaders, with both having served in elected office. In 1947, the family started First Guaranty Bank, one of the oldest banks in the city. In 1994, Jay was elected to serve on the board and led the company with his father through 2012. Jay has done much to continue the family tradition of investing in the community. He has been involved with many different organizations, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Healthy U Now Foundation, Rotary, and the Florida Bankers Association. Jay and his wife, Lauren, have two sons and two daughters. They attend St. Johns Presbyterian Church. In his spare time, he coaches little league baseball and basketball.
ON THE WEB: www.jayfant.com
Neil Gorsuch
Florida Why Courts Matter coalition statement on Bill Nelson’s opposition to Neil Gorsuch
Statement from Progress Florida Executive Director Mark
Ferrulo on behalf of the Florida Why Courts Matter Coalition:
“Having a common-sense, often bi-partisan senator like Bill Nelson come out against President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee sends a clear signal about just how out of step Neil Gorsuch is with mainstream American values.
“We agree wholeheartedly with Sen. Nelson that Judge Gorsuch’s track record on voting rights, the corrosive influence of money in elections and siding with corporations over hardworking Americans should disqualify him from sitting on the highest court in the land.
“Every Floridian who works for a living and values their fundamental rights — including the right to vote — owes a debt of gratitude to Bill Nelson for taking this stand.”
For more information visit www.WhyCourtsMatter.org/Florida.
Florida Elected Officials & Leaders To Denounce SCOTUS Nominee Neil Gorsuch's Extreme Legal Record
During a press conference tabindex=”0″ data-term=”goog_751863255″>Tuesday, Florida leaders will detail their concerns with the legal record of President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Judge Neil Gorsuch. State Representative Carlos Smith, State Representative and attorney Sean Shaw, and Planned Parenthood’s Missy Wesolowski will discuss how Gorsuch’s record as a judge and his writings show that on the nation’s highest Court, he would prioritize the interests of corporations at the expense of everyday Americans and threaten women’s rights and LGBTQ equality.
WHO: Sean Shaw, State Representative & attorney
Carlos Smith, State Representative
Missy Wesolowski, Director of Public Policy & Organizing, Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates
Damien Filer, Why Courts Matter Coalition spokesperson
WHAT: Elected Officials & Leaders Denounce SCOTUS Nominee’s Extreme Legal Record
WHEN: tabindex=”0″ data-term=”goog_751863256″>Tuesday, February 7th at 12:15pm
WHERE: Florida Capitol Building, 4th Floor Rotunda, 400 S Monroe St, Tallahassee, FL 32399
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.