Following the death of Antonin Scalia on Feb. 13, 2016, the Supreme Court has been without a full bench for almost a full year. With Obama having less than one year left in his final term as president, Republican party leaders decided they would not consider any nominee put forth until a new president took office. Despite President Obama nominating Merrick Garland, the chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, there were no votes and no hearings held.

On Jan. 31, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Neil Gorsuch to fill this seat. This would make Gorsuch one of the most influential men in the country, having a large influence on issues ranging from abortion to gun control.

“I think Gorsuch is a good choice to fill the seat, he’ll be able to carry on the legacy of Antonin Scalia and what he stood for,” junior Thomas Henley said.

Gorsuch has been called an originalist, supporting a strict interpretation of the Constitution. He believes judges should interpret law directly as it is written by the Founding Fathers.

“He’ll hopefully interpret the law the way it was written in The Constitution and not let his personal opinions sway his decisions,” Junior Sean Senft said.

Senate Minority leader and Democrat Chuck Schumer has expressed that he has “serious doubts” about Gorsuch and his platform. They fear he could play a key role in reversing all that President Obama and the Democratic party worked so hard for over the last eight years.
“I’m afraid Neil Gorsuch has the potential to set back the country a few decades in terms of equal rights for all,” junior Ian Anderson said.

Where he stands on the issues

On assisted suicide: He is staunchly against assisted suicide, even writing the book The Future of Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia where he states that all humans should live their lives out, no matter the situation they face.

On abortion: While he has Gorsuch has never directly stated his opinion on the famous Roe v. Wade case that made abortion legal in 1973, he has ruled that for-profit businesses could hold religious beliefs and not have to supply birth control to their employees, possibly revealing his position.

On LGBT rights: Religious freedom has been used as a popular excuse to limit the rights of the LGBT community. Being a strong advocate for this so-called religious freedom, Gorsuch might prove to be troublesome to the community.