WASHINGTON ' Today, on a conference call with New Mexico reporters, U.S. Senator Tom Udall discussed his decision to vote against the confirmation of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court and his new bill to reauthorize the Special Diabetes Program for Indians to fund culturally based diabetes education programs.

Udall said that after meeting with Gorsuch, watching his confirmation hearings and studying his record, he has concluded that he can't support confirmation. Udall is concerned about Gorsuch's refusal to answer where he stands on issues like the rights of working mothers, whether women can choose their own health care decisions, LGBTQ rights, and dark money in our elections. Udall also noted that he is not convinced that Gorsuch will be an independent voice on the Court, saying, "President Trump has taken a number of actions since assuming office that could go to the Supreme Court. It's more important than ever to have a clear-eyed judge on the bench. But Judge Gorsuch simply did not convince me that he'd be the independent mind we need." Udall highlighted a number of cases involving President Trump that could reach the Supreme Court, including the investigation into Trump's ties to Russia, his potential violations of the domestic and foreign Emoluments Clause of the Constitution, and the executive order banning immigrants from several majority-Muslim nations.

Udall also reiterated his concerns about confirming a justice while President Trump and his advisers are under investigation for potential ties to Russia and Russia's interference in the 2016 election, saying "President Trump should not be making lifetime appointments to the Supreme Court while there are so many troubling questions about his team's connections to Russia. I have called for an independent, bipartisan commission - like the 9/11 commission - to fully investigate the cloud of suspicion hanging over this administration."

"There is still time for both sides to come together and work out an agreement - put bipartisanship and fairness first and put aside the bitter partisan fighting that has divided Congress and our nation," Udall said as he emphasized the need to slow down this nomination and work across the aisle to find a solution that does not include the drastic rule change that Republicans have threatened.

In addition, Udall talked about his bill to reauthorize the Special Diabetes Program for Indians for seven years. The program funds diabetes prevention and treatment in more than 300 Native communities, and has resulted in a 61 percent growth in culturally based diabetes education programs. Udall said, "this long-term extension makes a common-sense investment in diabetes prevention. I've heard great stories from people whose lives were changed through this program, and I look forward to working to get this bill passed."

https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/imo/media/audio/04042017TuesWithTom10.mp3

Below are Udall's remarks:

0:00 ' Udall welcomes everyone to the call.

0:02 ' "This week, the Senate will vote on Judge Neil Gorsuch's nomination to serve on the Supreme Court."

0:05 ' "I met with Judge Gorsuch, I studied his record, and I followed his hearings closely. I've decided that I can't support his confirmation. He failed to answer questions about where he stands on deeply important issues, like the rights of working moms, whether women can make their own health care decisions, LGBTQ rights, and dark money in our elections."

0:32 ' "In addition, President Trump has taken a number of actions since assuming office that could go to the Supreme Court. It's more important than ever to have a clear-eyed judge on the bench but Judge Gorsuch simply did not convince me that he'd be the independent mind we need."

0:55 ' "I am also going to vote against ending debate on Judge Gorsuch's nomination, against cloture. I want to slow down this nomination and see if we can find a better path forward. Now is one of those rare moments when I believe this action is justified."

1:11 ' "President Trump should not be making lifetime appointments to the Supreme Court while there are so many troubling questions about his team's connections to Russia. I have called for an independent, bipartisan commission - like the 9/11 commission - to fully investigate the cloud of suspicion hanging over this administration."

1:32 ' "Until we have answers, we need to hit pause on Judge Gorsuch's nomination. There's no reason to rush."

1:42 ' "Remember, Republicans had no problem letting President Obama's nominee for this seat, Merrick Garland, languish for 293 days without a single hearing, and without a vote. And President Obama wasn't under investigation. What the Republican majority did last year was completely unprecedented."

2:03 ' "There is still time for both sides to come together and work out an agreement - put bipartisanship and fairness first and put aside the bitter partisan fighting that has divided Congress and our nation."

2:17 ' "I also want to mention one additional subject. Last week we had a very good discussion in the Indian Affairs Committee about preventing diabetes among Native American youth. This is an issue many of us in New Mexico know too well. Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death in Indian Country and Native youth are four times more likely to develop Type II diabetes."

2:42 ' "As Vice Chairman of the committee, I'm pushing for us to find new ways to support the efforts of tribes and Native communities and to engage Native youth in healthy lifestyles."

2:54 ' "One of the main ways that Congress has supported this over the last 20 years has been the Special Diabetes Program for Indians, otherwise known as SDPI. SDPI funds diabetes prevention and treatment programs in more than 300 Native communities, resulting in a 61 percent growth in culturally based diabetes education programs."

3:19 ' "Unfortunately, the program has not gotten the support and attention it deserves from Congress but last week, I introduced a bill to renew the SDPI program for another seven years. This long-term extension makes a common-sense investment in diabetes prevention. I've heard great stories from people whose lives were changed through this program and I look forward to working to get this bill passed."

3:45 ' Udall answers questions about the specific concerns he has regarding Judge Gorsuch's record and about the cases that could reach the Supreme Court involving President Trump, including the allegations of Trump's ties to Russia, the immigration ban, and violations of the Emoluments Clause.