Rep. Terri Sewell, D-AL, and other Alabama state leaders released statements about the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court. Kavanaugh was nominated by President Donald Trump on Monday night after Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his plans to retire.

“Our high court plays a critical role in ensuring fairness, justice and equality under the Constitution,” said Sewell. “It was the Supreme Court that ultimately ordered an end to Jim Crow segregation in Brown v. Board and that put a stop to the use of poll taxes in our elections. As our courts consider cases today that will have a direct impact on Alabama, from challenges to the Affordable Care Act to cases on modern-day voter suppression, it is critically important that Justice Kennedy’s replacement bring a strong sense of equality, fairness, and justice for all to the job.”

Unfortunately, an initial review of Judge Kavanaugh’s record shows that he will likely drive the Supreme Court farther to the right, threatening further attacks on access to health care, our right to vote, affirmative action, and all the important progress that we have made as a nation. The Senate now has the responsibility of carefully considering Judge Kavanaugh’s record, his judicial leanings, and his reading of the Constitution,” said Sewell. “I urge our Senators to take great care in their review of this nomination and oppose any addition to the Supreme Court that threatens the equality and progress that are so important to my constituents and our great nation.” 

However, Rep. Martha Roby, R-AL, had the polar opposite reaction to this nomination.

“This is truly a historic moment in our nation, and I applaud President Trump’s decision to nominate Judge Brett Kavanaugh to serve on the Supreme Court,” said Roby. “Judge Kavanaugh is a conservative, experienced jurist who I believe will be a strict constitutionalist on the bench. I’m hopeful his nomination will give us an opportunity to shift the balance of the Court in favor of the pro-life movement for years to come.

“I’m confident that Judge Kavanaugh will serve the Court and the American people admirably, and I am eager to see the Senate quickly begin the confirmation process,” she said.

Gov. Kay Ivey also applauded the decision.

“I applaud President Trump for his nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.  Judge Kavanaugh clearly understands the proper role of a judge is to interpret the law as it is written and apply the law impartially,” she said. “ It is imperative that judges adhere to the Constitution and resist judicial activism.  As a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, Judge Kavanaugh will have the opportunity to set valuable precedents for lower court judges all over the country to follow. 

 “Another conservative justice on the U.S. Supreme Court who honors the original intent of the Constitution will have a positive impact on our country for decades. I look forward to following the U.S. Senate confirmation process,” said Ivey.

Ivey also announced on Tuesday that she is urging fellow governor candidate, Walt Maddox, to urge the U.S. Senate to confirm the nomination.