WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today before members of the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary in support of John Bush of Kentucky, President Trump’s nominee to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit:

As prepared for delivery:

“This morning, I am proud to introduce John Bush, of Kentucky, to this committee. President Trump made an excellent choice in nominating Mr. Bush to serve as a Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. I believe that the committee will find an impressive nominee, with a strong legal ability and a thoughtful demeanor.

“I am delighted to join the chorus of voices supporting Mr. Bush’s nomination. In a bipartisan letter sent to this committee, more than 100 attorneys and law professors from around the country wrote in support of his nomination. At least one-third of these supporters are Democrats. They laud Mr. Bush’s ‘excellence, professionalism, and leadership in the legal profession.’
 
“They also note his ‘capacity to approach issues with an open mind and to respectfully consider viewpoints of others.’ Men and women from across the ideological spectrum and from around the country who have known Mr. Bush recommend him in the strongest terms to this committee. I couldn’t agree more.

“Mr. Bush, as we all do, has his own personal views about politics, which he enjoys discussing. But this has not diminished the professional esteem in which his colleagues hold him, their fondness for him, nor their firm belief that he will follow the law. Indeed, it appears to have cemented their confidence that as a judge, he will be open-minded, fair, and committed to the rule of law.

“As an illustration, I think we can agree that it is not common for leaders of Planned Parenthood to praise the judicial nominees of Republican presidents, just as it is not common for me to quote leaders of this organization. But more than one has praised the President’s nomination of John Bush because of his fairness, thoughtfulness, and respect for the views of others.

“For instance, Ms. Christie Moore, who is on the Board of Directors of Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky, has worked with Mr. Bush for nearly two decades. She wrote separately to this committee to underscore her support for this nomination. She said that Mr. Bush ‘is not simply a brilliant and talented litigator [but] recognizes the gifts and talents of others and seems to truly enjoy helping new lawyers reach their full potential.’

“Ms. Moore went on to say: ‘I have never witnessed a time when John allowed his own personal opinions to interfere with his representation of our clients. Accordingly, I have no hesitation in advising you that John will make decisions as a Judge in the same manner, and I am confident he will follow the rule of law regardless of his personal or political opinions. In my experience, John naturally approaches issues with an open mind and has always been respectful of differing viewpoints. In fact, I am a living example of John’s ability to seek out and respect differing viewpoints and opinions. John and I come from opposite ends of the political spectrum – I am a life-long, registered Democrat and proudly approach life and politics as a Democrat. Yet John and I have practiced closely together and enjoy a strong and respectful relationship.’

“She concludes, ‘I can personally attest that John is a consummate professional, and I believe he will be a tremendous asset to the federal court of appeals.’

“Her law firm colleague, Janet Jakubowicz, similarly explains why Mr. Bush will do an outstanding job on the Sixth Circuit. In her letter to the committee, she states that he ‘has shown himself to have both the legal ability and temperament to be an outstanding judge,’ and ‘the ability to inspire others to be their professional best.’ She writes that it is precisely because she is a ‘long time registered Democrat’ that she can say ‘with extreme confidence,’ that John Bush, ‘approaches issues with an open mind and has always been respectful of differing viewpoints,’ and that he will make decisions on the bench, ‘in the same manner, and follow the rule of law regardless of his personal or political opinions.’

“Praise for Mr. Bush is not confined to those from the Commonwealth of Kentucky, however. Ted Boutrous, Jr., practices law at Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher in Los Angeles. Among other matters, Mr. Boutrous represented the plaintiffs in their challenge to California’s Proposition 8.
He has known John Bush for a quarter-century and has written this committee to support his nomination. Mr. Boutrous writes, ‘While we come from different political parties, I am certain John will make an absolutely superb Circuit Judge. He is an extraordinary lawyer and an exceptionally fair, decent, and honest person. I have every confidence that as a judge, John will scrupulously follow the law and Constitution and precedent.’

“As co-chair of the litigation department at Bingham Greenebaum Doll, Mr. Bush has litigated complex cases in both federal and state courts.

“For his work, Mr. Bush has won numerous awards. For instance, The Best Lawyers in America named him the Louisville Litigation-Antitrust ‘Lawyer of the Year’ for 2017. Last year, the same organization recognized him as the Louisville Appellate Practice ‘Lawyer of the Year.’ And he has been included on the Kentucky Super Lawyers list every year for the last decade.
Beginning in 2012, he was appointed by the Sixth Circuit to serve on its Advisory Committee on Rules, in recognition of his in-depth knowledge of the court’s procedure and practice.

“Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mr. Bush is committed to his community and his church. He is also a longtime Louisville Cardinals fan, which speaks volumes about his good judgment.

“In sum, Mr. Bush is a man of integrity and considerable ability. He will do an outstanding job on the Sixth Circuit.

“I would like to recognize the members of the Bush family who are here in support of John’s nomination. His wife, Bridget, is an attorney in Louisville and is quite accomplished in her own right. Their sons Zach, Christian, and Eric are surely all proud of their father. Christian is studying in China and unfortunately cannot join the rest of his family here today. I would also like to recognize John’s mother, Marlene Bush; his sister, De Anne Waddell; and his nephew, Jonathan Waddell.

“Thank you for allowing me to testify on his behalf this morning. I appreciate this committee’s consideration of Mr. Bush’s nomination, and I look forward to his confirmation.”