President Donald Trump's nominee for a judicial vacancy in Amarillo is drawing criticism following a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.
On Wednesday morning, Matthew J. Kacsmaryk, President Trump's nominee to succeed Judge Mary Lou Robinson in Amarillo, attended a hearing before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. Kacsmaryk was praised by U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz for his work in religious liberty cases.
Following the introductions, Kacsmaryk was grilled on several issues related to his previous statements on judicial cases. Primarily, Senators Dick Durbin (D-Illinois), Al Franken (D-Minnesota) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) questioned the candidates on issues relating to the LGBT community.
One of the most tense moments of Kacsmaryk's hearing came during an exchange with Senator Al Franken (D-Minnesota). Franken told Kacsmaryk that his statements on previous U.S. Supreme Court decisions, primarily Obergefell v. Hodges, "concern" the senator.
Kacsmaryk responded to Franken's statement by saying that the Court's decision in the case shows dissenters retain free speech rights, according to Law.com.
"That’s the balance you would argue for if you were a legislator," Kacsmaryk said. "If I am so fortunate as to be confirmed as an Article 3 judge, I will not be legislating … I will read the words as they are written."
Prior to Kacsmaryk's hearing, at least two prominent political groups issued statements condemning the lawyer's nomination. The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and People for the American Way both issued statements urging senators to reject Kacsmaryk's nomination.
Following his hearing, Kacsmaryk is expect to receive a vote by the U.S. Senate in the coming months.
Photo by Matthew Kacsmaryk