Earthjustice Statement on Senate Vote Overriding Minority Opposition to Judge Gorsuch

Earthjustice condemns the U.S. Senate Republicans' decision to change Senate rules to override Democratic opposition to the confirmation of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, arguing that this 'nuclear option' undermines judicial independence and threatens public interest advocacy for environmental rights.

• Earthjustice condemns the decision by Senate Republicans to use the 'nuclear option' to change rules and override Democratic opposition to Judge Neil Gorsuch's confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court, stating that the eliminated rule was intended to ensure lifetime justices have consensus support to remain nonpartisan and independent.
• The organization asserts that this action follows a previous violation of the Constitution's spirit when Senate Republicans refused to consider Judge Merrick Garland for a vacant Supreme Court seat during President Obama's term, and that the current rule change is a 'power grab' that eliminates the influence of the Senate minority in nominations.
• Earthjustice claims that the politicized approach to selecting justices sets a dangerous precedent that could negatively impact public interest advocates working to protect rights to clean air, clean water, and equal protection from environmental hazards.

APA

Earthjustice (2017). Earthjustice Statement on Senate Vote Overriding Minority Opposition to Judge Gorsuch. https://earthjustice.org/press/2017/earthjustice-statement-on-senate-vote-overriding-minority-opposition-to-judge-gorsuch

Chicago

Earthjustice. Earthjustice Statement on Senate Vote Overriding Minority Opposition to Judge Gorsuch. 2017. https://earthjustice.org/press/2017/earthjustice-statement-on-senate-vote-overriding-minority-opposition-to-judge-gorsuch.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Earthjustice |title=Earthjustice Statement on Senate Vote Overriding Minority Opposition to Judge Gorsuch |date=5 April 2017 |url=https://earthjustice.org/press/2017/earthjustice-statement-on-senate-vote-overriding-minority-opposition-to-judge-gorsuch |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{earthjustice2017earthjustice, author = {{Earthjustice}}, title = {{Earthjustice Statement on Senate Vote Overriding Minority Opposition to Judge Gorsuch}}, publisher = {Earthjustice}, year = {2017}, month = apr, url = {https://earthjustice.org/press/2017/earthjustice-statement-on-senate-vote-overriding-minority-opposition-to-judge-gorsuch}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }