WASHINGTON, DC — President Donald Trump on July 9 announced the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. For Kavanaugh to reach the bench, his nomination must be approved by a majority vote in the Senate. Three of the four Senators in New York and Pennsylvania are opposed to the nomination.

Democratic Sen. Bob Casey said even before the announcement he would oppose any Trump nominee. He said, “In a nation with over 700 sitting federal judges, many of whom were appointed by Republican presidents, it is outrageous that President Trump will nominate from a list of just 25 dictated to him by the Heritage Foundation. This list does the bidding of corporate special interests hell-bent on handing health care over to insurance companies, crushing unions that represent working men and women, and promoting policies that will leave the middle-class further behind. Any judge on this list is fruit of a corrupt process straight from the DC swamp.”

Republican Sen. Pat Toomey issued a statement that said, “Based on his reputation and resume, Judge Kavanaugh appears to have the experience and intellect necessary to serve on our nation’s highest court. Judicial nominees, including those for the Supreme Court, should understand that the proper role of a judge is to apply the law, including the U.S. Constitution, as written. I plan to apply this standard while reviewing Judge Kavanaugh’s record and I hope my colleagues will do the same so Republicans and Democrats can work to together to confirm highly qualified jurists.”

Democratic Sen. and minority leader Chuck Schumer said, “This nomination could alter the balance of the court in favor of powerful special interests and against working families for a generation and would take away labor, civil, and human rights from millions of Americans. We cannot let that happen. If we can successfully block this nomination, it could lead to a more independent, moderate selection that both parties could support.”

Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said, “I strongly oppose Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination and I urge all New Yorkers to raise their voices and join me in opposing him. We need a justice who will protect the rights of all people in our state—not just some.”