Issued March 22, 2017
WASHINGTON—SEIU International President Mary Kay Henry issued the following statement after the Senate Judiciary Committee finished its questioning of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch:
“At a time when our economic and political systems have been rigged to favor corporations over working people, our justice system is an essential line of defense for working people. It gives them a chance to fight back against the corporations that take advantage of them and the self-interested politicians who let corporate greed go unchecked.
“Even before he was nominated, Judge Gorsuch’s record spoke volumes about his utter disregard for the ability of working people to achieve justice. Look at the case of truck driver Alphonse Maddin, who nearly froze to death while waiting for his employer to fix his frozen brakes. Judge Gorsuch was the only one of seven judges who heard his case to side with the corporation, TransAm Trucking, for firing him when he sought shelter in the lethal, -27 degree conditions.
“Throughout the last three days of testimony, Judge Gorsuch has again proved that he isn’t the kind of judge who gives working people a fair shot at justice. His record, refusal to answer fair and direct questions during the hearing, and the missing, critical information about his record at the Justice Department show a complete disregard for the fairness and transparency America’s working people need and deserve from our nation’s highest court.
“Ultimately this debate is not about senators or even the nominee. This debate is about working people like Alphonse Maddin. SEIU members and our communities call on the Senate to oppose Judge Gorsuch’s confirmation and protect our families’ ability to seek justice. If he is confirmed, that will be lost.”