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Response I got from Sen. Kohl:
Thank you for taking the time to contact me. I appreciate hearing from you, and I would like to take the opportunity to address your concerns. On July 1, 2005, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor announced her intention to resign once a replacement has been confirmed. I have the utmost respect for Justice O'Connor. History will remember her as not only the first female Supreme Court justice, but also for her balanced approach to the law and as someone who conduced herself with honor. She served admirably and I wish her nothing but the best. White House Counsel Harriet Miers was nominated to replace Justice O'Connor, however this nomination was withdrawn on October 27, 2005. On Monday, October 31, the President announced the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito, Jr. to the U.S. Supreme Court. Like you, I believe it is imperative that federal judges meet the highest standards, both personally and professionally. Upon nomination, a candidate is subject to a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, of which I am a member, and consideration by the full Senate before he or she can be confirmed. There is a stringent set of requirements that ensures the quality and competency of our federal judges, and as a member of the Judiciary Committee I take my responsibility to scrutinize every Supreme Court nominee very seriously. I believe that Supreme Court justices should not be ideologues, and should be committed to fairness in interpretation.
The hearings on the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito began on January 9, 2006 and allowed the Senate Judiciary Committee to closely review Judge Alito's qualifications and judicial philosophy, as well as his views on important issues. I reviewed Judge Alito's testimony at these hearings very seriously. On January 24, 2005, the Senate Judiciary Committee reconvened to review Judge Alito's nomination to the Supreme Court. After a thorough examination during the hearing process, I have decided to oppose the nomination of Judge Alito. Though I believe Judge Alito showed himself to be a man of great intellectual ability during the hearings before the Judiciary Committee, I have serious concerns with Judge Alito's legal philosophy. I have misgivings that Justice Alito will narrow rights, limit freedoms and overturn decades of progress. We expect the Supreme Court to guard our liberties, protect our rights and where appropriate, expand our freedoms. Judge Alito's judicial opinions suggest a well-formed philosophy of limited rights and restricted civil liberties. I had hoped that Judge Alito would have been able to satisfy the concerns I had with his record at his hearing. Instead, he chose to avoid many of the Senate Judiciary Committee's questions and in doing so, he did a disservice to the country and his nomination. The Senate Judiciary Committee has the obligation to decide whether Alito's views have a place on the Supreme Court. I have decided they do not and therefore, I oppose Judge Alito's nomination. Judge Alito's nomination was approved after being evaluated by the Senate Judiciary Committee and will be voted on by the full Senate on January 25, 2005. Again, thank you for contacting me. Please feel free to contact me about issues that concern you.
Sincerely,
Herb Kohl U.S. Senator
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