McConnell, Grassley Gush Over Kavanaugh’s ‘Sterling’ Credentials

Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh speaks after US President Donald Trump announced his nomination in the East Room of the White House on July 9, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo ... Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh speaks after US President Donald Trump announced his nomination in the East Room of the White House on July 9, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) heaped praise Monday night on Judge Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump’s nominee to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy on the Supreme Court.

“Judge Kavanaugh has sterling academic credentials,” a statement from McConnell read. “He is widely admired for his intellect, experience, and exemplary judicial temperament. He has won the respect of his peers and is highly regarded throughout the legal community. And his judicial record demonstrates a firm understanding of the role of a judge in our Republic: Setting aside personal views and political preferences in order to interpret our laws as they are written.”

Grassley called Kavanaugh “one of the most qualified Supreme Court nominees to come before the Senate.”

“His credentials are well known, and he’s served with distinction as a judge on the esteemed D.C. Circuit for more than a decade. He is a superb mainstream candidate worthy of the Senate’s consideration,” he said in a statement.

As chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Grassley will oversee Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings. McConnell, who reportedly warned Trump that Kavanaugh’s long trail of decisions would complicate his confirmation, will oversee the chamber’s vote.

McConnell and Grassley were similarly instrumental in preventing President Barack Obama’s nominee to fill the late Justice Antonin Scalia’s seat, Judge Merrick Garland, from receiving any consideration for that role. More than a year later, Trump nominee Neil Gorsuch was confirmed in his place.

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