Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee and was one of the first to speak today as the nomination hearings opened for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito. Grassley says, “If we do our job right, the Supreme Court won’t be made up of men and women who’re on the side of the little guy, or the big guy. Rather the Supreme Court will be made up of men and women who’re on the side of the law and the Constitution.” Grassley says Alito has an impressive record worthy of someone on the Supreme Court.
Grassley, a republican, says Alito’s past confirmations give him great standing before the Senate. He says Alito was confirmed unanimously by the Senate for lower judgeships twice. Grassley says that is “a tremendous record of public service and accomplishment” equal to any Supreme Court nominee Grassley says he’s seen in the 25 years he’s been on the judiciary committee.
Grassley says Alito has over 50 opinions that show how he would fill the role on the court. He says those 54 opinions say alot about judge Alito. Grassley says Alito is like recently confirmed Chief Justice Roberts, who tries to act as an umpire, calling the balls and strikes, rather than advocating a particular outcome. Grassley says the American Bar Association has also weighed in on Alito. He says, “The A-B-A once again found Judge Alito to be unanimously well qualified. This recommendation should have much weight for my colleges on the other side who have time and time again described the rating of the A-B-A as quote
‘gold standard’.”
Grassley says some liberal interest groups have come out in full force, and have attempted to paint Judge Alito to be an extremist and an activist. But Grassley says that’s what ” these outside the mainstream groups always do – attack individuals who they don’t believe will implement their agenda on the Supreme Court.” The direct questioning of Alito will begin Tuesday.