WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) today voted to approve the confirmation of Judge Neil Gorsuch to be the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.

“Judge Gorsuch will make an extraordinary Supreme Court justice,” said Roberts. “He has had an outstanding judicial record and is highly respected and supported by individuals in the judicial community who align on all sides of the political spectrum. Judge Gorsuch previously served in the 10th Circuit, which includes my home state of Kansas. Our state has seen firsthand that he is a judge who follows the law and applies the text of the Constitution and statues impartially. I am confident Judge Gorsuch will carry on the tradition of Justice Scalia and uphold the values of the Constitution to the highest standard.”

Roberts spoke on the Senate floor last month encouraging his colleagues to support Judge Gorsuch. Watch that video here.

Gorsuch was approved with bipartisan support, after the first-ever partisan filibuster of a Supreme Court nominee.

Roberts said, “I regret the Democrats decision to filibuster one of the most well-qualified, fair Supreme Court nominees to come before the Senate. I am discouraged by the political tactics used by the minority to delay business in the Senate, fighting us every step of the way simply because they don’t like the President.

“In 2013, Majority Leader Harry Reid forced us down this so-called nuclear path with partisan warfare. Gambling he would retain the majority, his party now finds the shoe on the other foot. While some may think we have won by using this tool in the short term, in the years to come, we may find ourselves lamenting on how the Senate once was and will never again be the body that protects the rights of the minority.

“I am pleased the Senate has confirmed Judge Gorsuch, and I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to end their partisan warfare to prevent further damage to this institution.”

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