posted October 31, 2005
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, M.D. (R-TN) made the following statement after President Bush nominated Judge Samuel A. Alito, Jr. as the next associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States:
“This morning, President Bush nominated Judge Sam Alito as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. With this selection, the president has chosen a proven nominee that meets the highest standards of excellence.
“As a graduate of Princeton and Yale Law School, a federal prosecutor in New Jersey, an attorney in the highest levels of the Justice Department under President Reagan and a 3rd Circuit judge for over 15 years, Judge Alito is unquestionably qualified to serve on our nation’s highest court. And on the bench, he has displayed a judicial philosophy marked by judicial restraint and respect for the limited role of the judiciary to interpret the law and not legislate from the bench.
“As we move forward in the confirmation process, senators can and must make an informed decision on the fitness of a judicial nominee by focusing on their judicial philosophy and not their political ideology. As we established in the confirmation of Chief Justice Roberts, thorough review of a nominee’s record does not require probing into confidential or privileged documents. Nor is it appropriate to expect nominees to pre-judge cases or issues that may come before the court. Ultimately, we should work together to ensure a fair, dignified debate on the Senate floor followed by an up or down vote on Judge Alito’s nomination.
“In 1990, a Democrat-controlled Senate unanimously confirmed Judge Alito as a circuit judge. I hope that my colleagues will give his nomination a fair opportunity this time as well.
“The Senate remains on track to complete action on all legislative items presented to it before Thanksgiving. I will discuss with Chairman Specter and my leadership, as well as Sen. Reid and Sen. Leahy, about Judiciary Committee action in December. If it’s possible to act, I will call the Senate back in to vote, up or down, on the Alito nomination, as well as available conference reports.
"I congratulate Judge Alito on his nomination to the Supreme Court, and look forward to welcoming him to the Senate later today.”
Congressman Harold Ford Jr. said, "Again, this appointment of Judge Samuel Alito by the president deserves fair, close and rigorous scrutiny by the U.S. Senate. As I have said, I would have voted for John Roberts' confirmation as Chief Justice if I was a member of the U.S. Senate. Judge Alito's respect of precedent and settled law, along with gaining an understanding of his temperament, judicial philosophy, grasp of constitutional law and willingness to consider opposing views will be the deciding factors for me on his nomination."
Sen. Saxby Chambliss said, “President Bush believes that Judge Alito has the characteristics of integrity, temperament, and sound legal judgment necessary in a U.S. Supreme Court justice. He has argued 12 Supreme Court cases, at least two dozen court of appeals cases and handled at least 50 others. Judge Alito’s experience, including 15 years serving on the bench of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, makes him a well qualified candidate to fill the vacancy on the United States Supreme Court.
“I look forward to hearing from Judge Alito as he begins the Senate confirmation process and hope my colleagues will work in a bipartisan manner through the completion of the process.”
U.S. Senate candidate Van Hilleary said, "Like Judge Roberts, Judge Alito is also an excellent choice to sit on the Supreme Court and I urge Senate Republicans to stand up and fight the liberals who will seek to obstruct Judge Alito's confirmation. Judge Alito is highly respected and extremely well qualified. He has a record of interpreting the Constitution and not legislating from the bench. He should be confirmed.
"I urge Senate Republicans to do their constitutional duty to ensure that Judge Alito gets and up or down vote on the Senate floor. He has already been confirmed by the Senate to a lower Court and if Democrats obstruct him on partisan grounds, Republicans must use every option - including the nuclear option that would end the filibuster - to ensure that Judge Alito receives a fair up or down vote.
"The Supreme Court has a real impact on our day to day lives and the freedoms protected by the Constitution. Issues such as abortion, property rights, religion in public life and the protection of marriage make the stakes for this appointment high.
"We have a real opportunity to turn back the liberal tide of judicial activism in this country and move the High Court to the right. President Bush has nominated a highly qualified judge who is a strict constructionist and he should be confirmed."
Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Bob Davis said, “The selection of Samuel Alito to serve on the United States Supreme Court is to be commended. Judge Alito is a Reagan appointee as U.S. Attorney and has served our country for more than 29 years, both on the Federal bench as well as other legal positions.
“Judge Alito has built a solid career on upholding our constitution and has a reputation as being conservative, fair minded and even tempered.
“President Bush has made an excellent choice.”
Senate candidate Bob Corker said, "Judge Samuel A. Alito, Jr. is a distinguished conservative jurist with an impressive record of service on the bench. Throughout his 15 years on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, he has shown an understanding of the proper role of the judiciary in a constitutional democracy.
"I am optimistic that his hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee will demonstrate that he is an excellent choice for the nation's highest court.
"At the completion of courteous and dignified hearings, Judge Alito should be given a prompt up or down vote."
JUDGE SAMUEL A. ALITO, JR., BIOGRAPHY
Samuel A. Alito, Jr., was born in April, 1950, in Trenton, N.J.
Alito received his bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and attended Yale Law School, where he served as an editor on the Yale Law Journal.
Alito clerked for Judge Leonard Garth of the Third Circuit, who is now his colleague on that court.
From 1977-1980, Alito served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the appellate division, where he argued cases before the circuit court to which he was later appointed.
From 1981-1985, Alito served as Assistant to the Solicitor General. He has argued 12 cases on behalf of the federal government in the U.S. Supreme Court and he has argued numerous others before the federal courts of appeals.
From 1985-1987, Alito served in the Office of Legal Counsel as Deputy Assistant Attorney General where he provided constitutional advice for the Executive Branch.
From 1987-1989, Alito served as U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey where he is best know for prosecuting white collar and environmental crimes, drug trafficking, organized crime, and violations of civil rights.
Alito was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey.
In 1990, President George H. Bush nominated Judge Alito to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Alito was unanimously confirmed by voice vote by the U.S. Senate for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Judge Alito has participated in thousands of appeals and authored hundreds of opinions.
Judge Alito has argued 12 Supreme Court cases and argued at least two dozen court of appeals cases and handled at least 50 others.
Alito has participated in various professional associations including the New Jersey Federal Bar Association (member of advisory board); the New Jersey State Bar Association; the American Bar Association; and the Federalist Society.
In 1985, Alito married Martha-Ann Bomgardner, with whom he has two children.
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