WATCH: Al Franken Blasts SCOTUS Nominee Neil Gorsuch
Image by Getty Images
Minnesota Sen. Al Franken, a Democrat, brought the heat to Supreme Court Justice nominee Neil Grouch Tuesday during his confirmation hearings for his decision as an appellate judge against a truck driver.
Truck driver Alphonse Maddin sued the TransAm trucking company for wrongful termination after he was fired for abandoning his malfunctioning trailer in subzero temperatures in Illinois. The trailer’s brakes froze and the heat in the cab went out. TransAm fired Maddin for abandoning his post. He sued, saying his termination violated federal safety law. Two of the judges in the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in his favor in 2016, with Gorsuch in dissent.
Gorsuch claimed that labor rules forbidding employers for making employees operate dangerous machinery did not apply because he said the dangerous machinery was the inoperable trailer, not the truck’s cab, and that the trailer was not being operated. That rankled Franken, who said that Gorsuch’s opinion “makes me question your judgement.”
“I had a career in identifying absurdity, and I know it when I see it,” the Democrat and former comedian said to Gorsuch.
Contact Daniel J. Solomon at [email protected] or on Twitter @DanielJSolomon
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
