July 1, 2005

Congressman Akin Statement on Justice O’Connor’s Resignation

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Todd Akin made the following statement on the retirement today of Justice Sandra Day O’Conner and expressed his confidence in President Bush in making the first nomination to the high court in 11 years.

“Justice O’Connor played a historic role during her long career as a Supreme Court Justice as the first female justice and the first woman ever to preside over oral arguments in the Supreme Court. All Americans congratulate her on a distinguished legal career.

“I am confident that President Bush will nominate a justice with exemplary qualifications and a commitment to interpreting the United States Constitution according to its original understanding. I join with the President in my opposition to judges who legislate from the bench, and urge my colleagues in the Senate to confirm a nominee who is respectful of President Bush’s judicial philosophy of strict constructionism that was endorsed by our fellow citizens in November’s election.

“As we embark on the process to fill this Supreme Court vacancy, I urge the Senate to engage in a dignified process, one in which personal attacks and low rhetorical blows are absent. The American people deserve better than invective, character assassination and misrepresentation for ideological purposes. These should not take the place of reasoned and civil debate, and it is my hope that we will look back on this process with more pride than regret.”

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