January 31, 2017

On January 31 President Trump announced his nomination of Neil Gorsuch to fill the Supreme Court vacancy.

Gorsuch, a federal appellate judge from Colorado and son of the late EPA Administrator, Anne Gorsuch Burford, would fill the Supreme Court vacancy left by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. Gorsuch has expressed concern over the Chevron doctrine, by which courts defer to federal agencies’ interpretation of their own regulations.

Gorsuch’s confirmation hearing will begin in late March in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee. During the hearing Gorsuch will be questioned and the committee will receive testimony from legal experts. Under current rules, Gorsuch will need to procure 60 votes in order to be confirmed as a Supreme Court Justice by the Senate.

Sources: CNN, Justice.gov