Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Tuesday she’s lodged a number of requests for more information from Judge Neil Gorsuch before the panel considers his Supreme Court nomination.
Ms. Feinstein sent Judge Gorsuch a letter last Wednesday asking whether he played a role during his time in the Justice Department on ten high-profile cases, including Guantanamo Bay detainees, U.S. torture policy, partial birth abortion and warrantless wiretapping.
Judge Gorsuch was principal deputy associate attorney general from 2005 to 2006.
Mrs. Feinstein also asked Judge Gorsuch to list significant cases, policies and initiatives where he “assisted in the development and implementation.” And she sent a separate letter asking about his involvement with the Republican National Lawyers Association and the association’s Judicial Confirmation Task Force.
Judge Gorsuch is expected to appear before the committee for his confirmation hearing on March 20.
He completed his questionnaire from the committee earlier this month, but advocacy groups have said his time in the Justice Department deserves more scrutiny.
Mrs. Feinstein and Senate Judiciary Chairman Charles E. Grassley, Iowa Republican, wrote on Feb. 13 asking the National Archives to release whatever information it had on the Bush White House’s decision to nominate Judge Gorsuch for the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and sought any emails he exchanged with the White House during his time as principal deputy associate attorney general.
Mr. Grassley and Ms. Feinstein also asked Attorney General Jeff Sessions for documents related to Judge Gorsuch’s time at the Justice Department.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.
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