By Message Staff
WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump’s nomination of Brett Kavanaugh as the next associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court has drawn praise from Louisiana’s delegation to Congress and pro-life and religious liberty advocates.
Trump announced Monday evening, July 9, Judge Kavanaugh of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit was his choice to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy, who is retiring at the end of July. Kennedy has long been viewed as the swing vote on the Supreme Court.
Kavanaugh, 53, was selected by Trump among 25 nominees. According to his website, Kavanaugh has served as a judge on the D.C. Circuit since 2006. He also worked in the White House counsel’s office under President George W. Bush and was a clerk to Justice Kennedy.
Away from his judicial role, Kavanaugh has been active in the community, where he has served as a lector and coached girls basketballl at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Washington, D.C.
“What matters is not a judge’s political views, but whether they can set aside those views to do what the law and the Constitution require,” Trump said in his announcement. “I am pleased to say that I have found, without doubt, such a person.”
Sen. Bill Cassidy said in a written statement Kavanaugh is a solid pick.
“President Trump kept his promise, nominating a conservative faithful to the Constitution as written, recognized as having an excellent legal mind,” he said. “We the Senate have the responsibility to examine his experience and temperament. I’ll meet with him, others will too, we’ll review his record, and then vote on his confirmation. But based on his resume, his reputation, I suspect he’ll be confirmed.”
Louisiana’s other senator said while Kavanaugh boasts an impressive resume, he is anticipating the opportunity of getting to know him better through the confirmation process.
“I want someone who’s smart, intellectually curious and willing to test their assumptions against the arguments of those who disagree with them,” U.S. Sen. John Kennedy said on his website. “During the Senate Judiciary hearings, I plan to delve into how he interprets a statute and how he would interpret the Constitution when it’s not clear. I want to understand how he thinks the judiciary fits in the Madisonian balance of separation of powers. I want to know if he respects the Bill of Rights and understands why we have a Bill of Rights. You really can’t tell whether that standard can be reached until you have a confirmation hearing. That’s why I look forward to a full and fair vetting process.”
Rep. Mike Johnson, a member of First Baptist Church in Bossier City, said the news made for a great day in America.
“Our system of government depends upon a Supreme Court that will faithfully uphold and apply the Constitution,” said Johnson in an e-mailed statement. “President Trump has been given an opportunity to appoint another justice who will discharge this duty and restore constitutional conservatism to the court. We applaud his excellent decision today in nominating Brett Kavanaugh. Judge Kavanaugh’s experience more than qualifies him to fill Justice Kennedy’s vacancy, and I hope to see a thorough and timely confirmation by the Senate.”
Rep. Ralph Abraham, a member of Alto Baptist Church, believes he will be an outstanding justice if confirmed.
“If he can deal with rigors of coaching youth athletes, I feel confident he can handle anything the Supreme Court can throw at him,” he said in an e-mailed statement.
“President Trump really did his homework on this one and picked a winner,” Abraham added. “Judge Kavanaugh is a constitutional purist with deep moral and ethical roots. I look forward to a swift confirmation by the Senate.”
House Majority Whip Steve Scalise took to social media to voice his hope for a swift confirmation of Kavanaugh.
“President Trump has held firm to his campaign pledge of nominating Supreme Court Justices who will uphold the Constitution and laws of this country,” he said. “President Trump’s selection of Justice Neil Gorsuch last year has already proven to be a huge success for religious liberty, national security, and freedom of speech, and I’m glad he has followed the mold again with the selection of Judge Brett Kavanaugh. There is no question Judge Kavanaugh is incredibly qualified and deserving of sitting on our nation’s highest court, and I urge the Senate to swiftly confirm him to the Supreme Court.”
U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins called Kavanaugh an “excellent choice” on his Facebook page.
“President Trump has again nominated a proven conservative Constitutionalist to the Supreme Court,” he posted. “The Senate should act quickly and confirm Judge Kavanaugh without partisan obstructionism and delay.”
Ben Clapper, executive director of Louisiana Right to Life, said in a written statement he believes Kavanaugh will respect the wisdom of the U.S. Constitution’s original text.
“Instead of implementing his own opinions and preference, Judge Kavanaugh will give deference to the will of a legislature to protect human lives and ensure the health and safety of women,” he said. “We look forward to Senators Cassidy and Kennedy voting to confirm Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination to the high court.”
Kelly Shackelford, president, CEO and general counsel for First Liberty Institute that has handled numerous religious liberty cases, offered support for the pick.
“As a group dedicated to defending religious freedoms, we are thrilled to have a Supreme Court nominee who has such a solid history and commitment to protecting the religious freedoms and First Amendment rights of our citizens,” Shackelford said.
“Judge Kavanaugh has demonstrated in his time on the bench a deep respect for the proper role of the judiciary,” he continued. “His opinions have consistently adhered to our founding principles that government exists to protect the God-given rights of the people and the Constitution exists to prevent government from infringing on those rights.”
