Rep. Eshoo Issues Statement on President Trump’s U.S. Supreme Court Nomination

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 -- Rep. Anna G. Eshoo, D-Calif., issued the following statement following President Trump's selection of a nominee for the Supreme Court:

"I do not support the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch and here is why:

"His judicial record is one which is antithetical to the values of my constituents: the protection of healthcare for women; consumer rights; the protection of our environment.

"Judge Gorsuch's decisions have gone directly against the rights of women both in their careers and in their personal lives. In the Hobby Lobby case, he joined the majority in stripping reproductive rights from women in the workplace. By continuously supporting defunding Planned Parenthood, millions of women are left without essential healthcare services to detect breast cancer, cervical cancer and other special medical screenings vital to women.

"Judge Gorsuch has consistently voted against consumers, including in Strickland vs. UPS, where he dissented to a ruling giving a female UPS driver a chance to prove sex discrimination. Just last year, Judge Gorsuch ruled against a consumer who was wrongly charged hundreds of dollars in Elizabeth Hammond vs. Stamps.com, making it easier for companies to move their case to federal court, a move that favors big businesses and harms consumers.

"He has embraced a radical legal doctrine that would allow the courts to overrule agency experts implementing regulations to protect the American people. These laws would allow judges to overrule essential protections for Americans put in place by agencies involving the environment, essential workers' rights and safeguards for consumers.

"If approved by the Senate, Judge Gorsuch's decisions will affect the American people for decades to come. His record is far outside the judicial mainstream and the American people deserve better than a far right wing, activist judge that has a record of choosing the most powerful interests over those of extraordinary, ordinary Americans."

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