The White House released excerpts of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s prepared testimony before Congress set to begin Tuesday morning.
The excerpts highlight Kavanaugh’s judicial philosophy and emphasize lack of bias. Kavanaugh also delivers praise to DC Judge Merrick Garland, whom he served with on the circuit court. Garland was nominated by former President Barack Obama to replace deceased Justice Antonin Scalia but was blocked by a Senate Majority LeaderMitch McConnell.
Kavanaugh will honor the Justice he is seeking to replace saying:
To me, Justice Kennedy is a mentor, a friend, and a hero. As a Member of the Court, he was a model of civility and collegiality. He fiercely defended the independence of the Judiciary. And he was a champion of liberty.
The Judge will then delve into his judicial philosophy:
A good judge must be an umpire—a neutral and impartial arbiter who favors no litigant or policy. … I don’t decide cases based on personal or policy preferences. I am not a pro-plaintiff or pro-defendant judge. I am not a pro-prosecution or pro-defense judge. I am a pro-law judge.
Kavanaugh will end with a declaration of being a team player:
If confirmed to the Court, I would be part of a Team of Nine, committed to deciding cases according to the Constitution and laws of the United States. I would always strive to be a team player on the Team of Nine.