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ICYMI: News Coverage of Sen. Cruz Exchanges with Judge Neil Gorsuch at Confirmation Hearing

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Numerous news outlets have taken note of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz’s (R-Texas) exchanges with U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Neil Gorsuch during the judge’s Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing, in which they discussed the Constitution, the rule of law, and their experience clerking for the U.S. Supreme Court. 

Read Sen. Cruz’s introductory remarks from earlier this week supporting Judge Gorsuch’s nomination in its entirety here. The Senator’s exchanges can be viewed here: Day One, Day Two and Day Three

Following is a summary of news coverage:

Houston Chronicle: Ted Cruz, Neil Gorsuch talk mutton busting during tense Supreme Court nomination
“At Tuesday's marathon 11-hour Senate hearing for Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch, the questions were mostly tense, about constitutional interpretation and money in politics. An exception came when Texas' junior senator asked the judge about how he treated his law clerks. Specifically, Sen. Ted Cruz asked at the end of his 30 minutes of questioning, did you take them to the rodeo?” 

Dallas Morning News: Senators' questions of Supreme Court nominee Gorsuch show stark partisan divide
“Sen. Ted Cruz, who, like Gorsuch, was once a Supreme Court clerk, clearly enjoyed himself as they reminisced about the court's basketball court, known to insiders as ‘the highest court in the land.’ Cruz also asked Gorsuch what it was like to clerk for Gorsuch’s childhood hero, former Supreme Court justice and NFL player Byron White. ‘How was his jump shot?’ Cruz asked, smiling. Gorsuch fondly recalled Byron’s deep voice and simple judicial philosophy: ‘to decide cases.’”

NBC News: Ted Cruz and Neil Gorsuch: Former SCOTUS Clerks, Current Rodeo Fans
“In the midst of a hearing where Gorsuch was grilled by Democrats over his position on abortion and past pro-business rulings, Republican Sen. Ted Cruz used his 30 minutes to have a more personal and congenial chat with the nominee. In addition to discussing what it means to be a Constitutional originalist, the two discussed their time clerking for the Supreme Court as well as their shared love of the rodeo.” 

Hot Air: Ted Cruz and Neil Gorsuch on “the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything”  
“To cleanse the palate, enjoy the clip below of what’s easily the nerdiest moment in the history of SCOTUS confirmation hearings. Someday Cruz will land on the Court and these two will be playing D&D on the bench during oral arguments.” 

Mediaite: Ted Cruz and Neil Gorsuch Discuss ‘Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy’ at Senate Hearing
“Senator Ted Cruz led his questioning of Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch on Tuesday with a question known to millions of Douglas Adams fans. ‘Let me start with something lighter, and a topic on which I believe you have some familiarity,’ noted Senator Cruz: ‘What is the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything?’ The question prompted some laughter among the people in attendance. The Trump nominee simply replied, ‘42.’” 

Newsmax: Neil Gorsuch Gives Ted Cruz Correct Answer on Life: '42'
“Sen. Ted Cruz sought to illustrate the human side of Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch by asking him Tuesday for the notorious answer from ‘The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.’ ‘We've focused on a lot of weighty matters, so let me start with something lighter,’ the Texas Republican began at the hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. ‘What is the answer to the question of life, the universe and everything?’ ‘Forty-two,’ Gorsuch responded amid chuckles in the Senate Hearing Room." 

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