President Trump announced Monday night he is nominating Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a decision met with mixed reaction from Colorado’s US Senators.
Sen. Michael Bennet condemned the pick in a statement sent shortly after the announcement, saying he has "grave concerns" about the nomination.
Bennet’s statement read:
“When Justice Kennedy announced his retirement, I urged the President to appoint a consensus nominee who could earn broad bipartisan support in the Senate and the confidence of the American people. Instead, he chose a nominee whose ideology would shift the Court’s majority, thereby threatening fundamental rights and failing to check executive power. As a result, I have grave concerns about this nomination.”
Meanwhile Republican Sen. Cory Gardner said he will review Kavanaugh’s judicial record, and condemned a "knee-jerk" reaction based on partisan politics.
Gardner’s statement read:
“I look forward to meeting soon with Judge Kavanaugh,” said Senator Gardner. “Over the coming weeks I will review his judicial record while also ensuring that Judge Kavanaugh will approach each case on its merits and follow the law as it is written. I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will thoughtfully and thoroughly review this individual during the confirmation process and carefully consider him rather than making a knee-jerk decision based on politics and nothing else.”
Republicans hold a mere 50-49 Senate majority, with the prolonged absence of the ailing Arizona GOP Sen. John McCain. The defection of one Republican would kill the nomination unless at least one Democrat votes yes.
(The Associated Press contributed to this story)
