Sen. Ted Cruz: Gorsuch Is a 'Home Run'

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz called the pick of Judge Neil Gorsuch a "home run," telling CNN just after President Donald Trump made the announcement in the White House East Room, the nomination was the "most important decision President Trump has made in the first two weeks serving in office."

Trump promised during the campaign to nominate a principled constitutionalist to replace Justice Antonin Scalia, who died last February, and he honored that commitment Tuesday night, Cruz said.

"I think Judge Gorsuch is a home run," he said, adding he is "faithful to the Constitution, following the law, protecting the Bill of Rights and our fundamental liberties."

Democrats have threatened to fight any Trump nominee after Republicans refused to even hold hearings on President Barack Obama's nominee Merrick Garland last year.

But Cruz noted Gorsuch was confirmed to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals a decade ago on a voice vote, and his record on the court since has been impeccable.

Cruz would not say whether Republicans would impose the "nuclear option" and approve Gorsuch on a simple majority vote if Democrats filibuster, but he did say, "They may try but won't succeed. The Senate will confirm a strong constitutionalist to replace Justice Scalia."

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