On Wednesday’s broadcast of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) stated that he didn’t remember whether he voted for Judge Neil Gorsuch’s confirmation to the federal bench in 2006, and that while nothing about his position on Gorsuch has changed, he does have concerns over whether Gorsuch will be independent.
Durbin stated that he will insist on a hearing and a vote for Gorsuch, but that he will have to get 60 votes.
After saying he had concerns over Gorsuch’s independence, he was asked by co-host Willie Geist “Do I have it right that you voted aye in the voice vote in 2006, when Gorsuch was up for the federal appeals court?”
Durbin answered, “Good question, Willie, and I just don’t remember, to be honest with you. On voice votes you don’t make much of a note on it, and it’s possible. I don’t believe there was a lot of controversy surrounding it. But let me tell you, he’s moving from AAA ball to the big leagues here, and he’s going to be the deciding vote on the future of the court for a long time, it appears.”
After Geist pointed out that there was no objection to Gorsuch’s nomination in 2006, he asked Durbin, “has something changed in your view of Gorsuch since 2006 when you did vote aye for him?”
Durbin responded, “No, but…when someone moves up to the Supreme Court level, different and important questions are asked and people are much more careful. That’s the way it ought to be. I’ve been through five or six of these nominees so far. We held every one of them, whether it’s Obama, Bush, whoever, to that same standard.”
Durbin later added that he doesn’t know enough about Gorsuch to say he’s going to support him all the way, and wants to study him.
(h/t RCP Video)
Follow Ian Hanchett on Twitter @IanHanchett
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