Senator Collins’ Statement Following Meeting with Supreme Court Nominee Neil Gorsuch

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Susan Collins met with Judge Neil Gorsuch, the President’s nominee to the Supreme Court of the United States today.  Following their more than hour-long meeting, Senator Collins released this statement:

“The consideration of a Supreme Court nominee is one of the Senate’s most important constitutional responsibilities. 

“My more than hour-long meeting with Judge Gorsuch this morning confirmed for me what many on both sides of the aisle and those who know him well have said throughout his distinguished career: Judge Gorsuch is an individual with great integrity and extraordinary intellect who has a deep respect for the law.

“Among the wide variety of issues we discussed, I was struck by three in particular:  First, Judge Gorsuch indicated that he has a high regard for the role and importance of precedent; second, he made it clear that he will be a fierce defender of our independent judiciary; and third, Judge Gorsuch assured me that no one at the White House has asked him to commit to ruling a certain way on any case.

“I was certainly impressed with Judge Gorsuch, and I look forward to his public hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.”