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Supreme Court Nominee Neil Gorsuch Testifies: Live Analysis
Trump's high court pick faces another day of questions from Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats
Last Updated:
Feb. 18, 2020 at 4:45 PM EST
Latest Updates
March 22, 2017 at 9:11 PM
Here is our latest updated main article:
Judge Neil Gorsuch’s confirmation hearing for the Supreme Court took an unexpected turn Wednesday when the high court unanimously rejected an appeals court ruling that was based on the nominee’s views.
The justices, whose ranks Judge Gorsuch hopes to join within weeks, concluded that federal law entitles disabled students to far more than a bare-bones education. They were overruling a 2015 decision from the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver that cited language derived from a 2008 opinion by Judge Gorsuch.
March 22, 2017 at 7:37 PM
We're going to start winding down our live coverage, breaking in for occasional updates.
One moment to highlight from earlier: Judge Gorsuch drew a chuckle when he described John Hancock's signature as "bigly" before correcting himself and making it "big and boldly." Bigly, of course, is how some people hear President Trump when he uses his catchphrase "big league."
(Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
March 22, 2017 at 7:10 PM
Judge Neil Gorsuch testifies during the third day of his Supreme Court confirmation hearing. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
March 22, 2017 at 6:58 PM
We're back from recess and Chairman Grassley announced his plan for the rest of the hearing.
Senators still to come in the second round: Chris Coons of Delaware, Jeff Flake of Arizona, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Mike Crapo of Idaho, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and John Kennedy of Louisiana.
After the second round, the committee will go into closed session to talk about the justice's background check. After the closed session, the committee will reconvene for a third round of 15 minute questions, if members would like.
(Shawn Thew/European Pressphoto Agency)
March 22, 2017 at 6:53 PM
Sen. Ben Sasse (R., Neb.), invoking the Republican contention that Democrats want judges who rewrite the Constitution from the bench, asks Judge Gorsuch to explain “the glorious amendment process” that allows changes to the charter.
“It’s inspiring,” Judge Gorsuch says of the requirement that Congress by two-thirds majorities, or two-thirds of state legislatures, propose amendments, which must then be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures.
Since 1791, only 17 amendments have been ratified, and that includes one amendment (the 21st) that repeals an earlier one (the 18th, Prohibition). The late Justice Antonin Scalia once was asked how he would amend the Constitution if he could. He said he would pass an amendment making it easier to amend the Constitution.