In a conference call with reporters moderated by former delegate Meshea Poore, Margaret Chapman Pomponio, of the West Virginia FREE Action Fund, Andrew Schneider, of Fairness West Virginia, and State Delegate Mike Pushkin gave statements opposing Judge Neil Gorsuch’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Citing Gorsuch’s opinion on the 2014 Supreme Court Case Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, in which he sided with the craft store that did not want to include birth control in insurance plans on religious grounds, Chapman and Schneider said Gorsuch would ignore the rights of women and the LGBTQ+ community.
Pushkin agreed that Gorsuch would side with corporations.
“It’s safe to say he tends to take the sides of big business, big corporations, rather than siding with the interests of the working people,” the Democrat said. “In that case, this pick is just not good for West Virginia.”
Senator Joe Manchin posted on Facebook Wednesday night that he will vet Gorsuch thoroughly. Senator Shelley Moore Capito issued a statement supporting Gorsuch’s nomination, saying that he’s “a well-respected, seasoned judge.”