Dem Sen. Reed to oppose Gorsuch

Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) says he will vote against the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, arguing President Trump’s nominee “has a propensity for ruling against workers in labor and employment disputes.”

In a statement released Friday, Reed said he is concerned that Gorsuch’s “pro-corporate tendencies” would make justice difficult for workers and consumers.

{mosads}“If Judge Gorsuch is confirmed to the Supreme Court, I worry he would try to circumscribe voting rights and consumer protections and impose new constraints on civil liberties and women’s health care and roll back clean air laws,” said Reed.

Reed said he was not “reassured” by Gorsuch’s answers during his hearings in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee this week.

“Equal Justice Under Law is engraved on the front of the Supreme Court. But Judge Gorsuch seems to favor the expansion of corporate power over individual rights,” Reed said.

“His interpretation of the Constitution would further rig the system to expand corporate power at the expense of people. “

Republicans have said they will use the “nuclear” option to confirm Gorsuch if necessary, which would require changing the Senate rules to a 51-simple majority for confirmation.

Reed is the 13th Senate Democrat to publicly oppose Gorsuch’s nomination, according to The Hill’s whip list.