Heitkamp Statement on Meeting Tonight at the White House with President Trump

Statement

U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today met with President Trump at the White House to discuss the Supreme Court and other issues, including how trade is impacting North Dakota farmers and ranchers, rural health care and the need for doctors in North Dakota through the Conrad 30 program, and the vacant position on the U.S. District Court of North Dakota.

"Political speeches are just that, but the next day, I'm ready to get to work. As I said, if the president wants to meet with me, I'm ready to participate and advocate for North Dakota. And that's exactly what happened today," said Heitkamp. "President Trump and I had a solid discussion about the Supreme Court vacancy. We also discussed how the administration's trade policies are hurting North Dakota's farmers and ranchers, the need for doctors throughout rural communities, the importance of filling the vacant seat on the U.S. District Court of North Dakota, and the impact of oil prices.

"I stressed the importance of nominating someone to the Supreme Court who is pragmatic, fair, compassionate, committed to justice, and above politics -- traits that match Justice Kennedy and which I know are important to North Dakotans. I told the president that he has a chance to unite the country by nominating a true non-ideological jurist who could gain strong support from senators on both sides of the aisle, rather than create more divisions. Like my colleagues, I'll wait to see who he nominates for the position -- and then get to work exhaustively reviewing and vetting the nominee and their record to meet my constitutional duty as a U.S. senator to provide advice and consent for filling this vacancy. This duty is one of the most important roles of a U.S. senator, and I don't take this job lightly. It means the nominee must meet with senators, have a hearing, and receive a thorough review of their record -- just as we did with Justice Gorsuch who I supported -- which is critical for someone who could take a seat on the highest court in our land."

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