See also:
Allegations Arise: Potential Hiccup or
Insurmountable Obstacle
Sept. 27 photos:
Supporters
|
Opponents
Kavanaugh Announcement: Battle Lines Drawn
Supporting Nomination:
Judicial Crisis Network |
Opposing Nomination:
StopKavanaugh.com (Demand Justice)
|
 |
 |
"Perfect Addition" (July 9, 2018)
(Music) Male Announcer:
Supreme
Court
nominee
Brett
Kavanaugh
is
the
best
of
the
best.
His
life
has
been
defined by hard work and excellence. A star
student at Yale Law, he went on to clerk on the Supreme Court.
After working in the White House, Brett Kavanaugh became a judge,
confirmed with bipartisan support. Strong and independent, he
applies the Constitution just as it was written. Like Neil
Gorsuch, he'll be another great justice. Confirm Kavanaugh.
|
"Stop Brett Kavanaugh" (July 9,
2018)
(Music) Female Announcer:
Donald
Trump
just
nominated
Brett
Kavanaugh
to
the
Supreme
Court.
Here's
what
we
already
know
about him. Trump said he'd only pick
judges who'd reverse Roe v. Wade and outlaw abortion. And Trump
made it clear his nominee would vote to overturn the Affordable Care
Act, letting insurance companies charge more or refuse coverage for
people with pre-existing conditions. Call your Senators and tell
them to oppose Trump's extreme nominee. Stop Brett Kavanaugh.
|
______________________
PRESS
RELEASES ON KAVANAUGH ANNOUNCEMENT
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office
of
the
Press
Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 9, 2018
President
Donald
J.
Trump
Announces
Intent
to
Nominate
Judge
Brett
M.
Kavanaugh
to
the
Supreme
Court
of
the
United
States
Today,
President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to nominate Judge Brett
M. Kavanaugh of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia
Circuit to fill the Supreme Court vacancy created by Justice Anthony
Kennedy’s assumption of senior status.
The
nomination of Judge Kavanaugh comes after a selection process marked by
an historic degree of transparency, including the President’s public
disclosure of a list of 25 highly qualified potential nominees to the
Supreme Court.
Judge
Kavanaugh has served as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
District of Columbia Circuit since 2006, authoring more than 300
opinions, including 11 that have been affirmed by the Supreme Court.
Before becoming a judge, he served in the George W. Bush
administration, first as an Associate Counsel and then Senior Associate
Counsel, and subsequently as Assistant to the President and Staff
Secretary. A graduate of Yale College and Yale Law School, Judge
Kavanaugh clerked on the Supreme Court for Justice Kennedy, and for
judges on the Third and Ninth Circuit Courts of Appeals. Judge
Kavanaugh also served as a Counsel for the Office of Independent
Counsel under Ken Starr and as a Partner at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP.
Judge
Kavanaugh has earned a reputation as a brilliant jurist with impeccable
legal credentials, and he is universally respected for his intellect,
as well as his ability to persuade and build consensus. Judge Kavanaugh
lives in Maryland with his wife Ashley and their two daughters.
___________________
REMARKS BY
PRESIDENT TRUMP ANNOUNCING JUDGE BRETT M. KAVANAUGH AS THE NOMINEE FOR
ASSOCIATE JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
East Room
9:03 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: My fellow Americans, tonight I speak to
you from the East Room of the White House regarding one of the most
profound responsibilities of the President of the United States, and
that is the selection of a Supreme Court Justice.
I’ve often heard that, other than matters of war and peace, this is the
most important decision a President will make. The Supreme Court
is entrusted with the safeguarding of the crown jewel of our Republic,
the Constitution of the United States.
Twelve days ago, Justice Anthony Kennedy informed me of his decision to
take senior status on the Supreme Court, opening a new vacancy.
For more than four decades, Justice Kennedy served our nation with
incredible passion and devotion. I’d like to thank Justice
Kennedy for a lifetime of distinguished service. (Applause.)
In a few moments, I will announce my selection for Justice Kennedy’s
replacement. This is the second time I have been faced with this
task. Last year, I nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch to replace the
late, great Justice Antonin Scalia. (Applause.) I chose
Justice Gorsuch because I knew that he, just like Justice Scalia, would
be a faithful servant of our Constitution.
We are honored to be joined tonight by Justice Scalia’s
beloved wife, Maureen. Maureen. (Applause.) Thank
you, Maureen.
Both Justice Kennedy and Justice Scalia were appointed by a President
who understood that the best defense of our liberty and a judicial
branch immune from political prejudice where judges that apply the
Constitution as written. That President happened to be Ronald
Reagan.
For this evening’s announcement, we are joined by Ronald Reagan’s
Attorney General, Edwin Meese. Ed. (Applause.) And,
Ed, I speak for everyone: Thank you for everything you’ve done to
protect our nation’s great legal heritage.
In keeping with President Reagan’s legacy, I do not ask about a
nominee’s personal opinions. What matters is not a judge’s
political views, but whether they can set aside those views to do what
the law and the Constitution require. I am pleased to say that I
have found, without doubt, such a person.
Tonight, it is my honor and privilege to announce that I will nominate
Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court.
(Applause.)
I know the people in this room very
well. They do not stand and give applause like that very often,
so they have some respect. (Laughter.)
And Brett’s wife, Ashley, and their two
daughters, Margaret and Liza, have joined us on the podium. And
thank you and congratulations to you as a family. Thank
you. (Applause.)
Judge Kavanaugh has impeccable credentials,
unsurpassed qualifications, and a proven commitment to equal justice
under the law.
A graduate of Yale College and Yale Law School, Judge Kavanaugh
currently teaches at Harvard, Yale, and Georgetown.
Throughout legal circles, he is considered a judge’s judge -- a true
thought leader among his peers.
He is a brilliant jurist, with a clear and effective writing style,
universally regarded as one of the finest and sharpest legal minds of
our time. And just like Justice Gorsuch, he excelled as a clerk
for Justice Kennedy. That’s great. Thank you.
(Applause.)
Judge Kavanaugh has devoted his life to public service. For the
last 12 years, he has served as a judge on the D.C. Circuit Court of
Appeals -- with great distinction -- authoring over 300 opinions, which
have been widely admired for their skill, insight, and rigorous
adherence to the law.
Among those opinions are more than a dozen that the Supreme Court has
adopted as the law of the land.
Beyond his great renown as a judge, he is active in his
community. He coaches CYO Basketball, serves meals to needy
families, and -- having learned from his mom who was a schoolteacher in
D.C. -- tutors children at local elementary schools.
There is no one in America more qualified for this position, and no one
more deserving.
I want to thank the senators on both sides of the aisle, Republican and
Democrat, for their consultation and advice during the selection
process. This incredibly qualified nominee deserves a swift
confirmation and robust bipartisan support.
The Rule of Law is our nation’s proud heritage. It is the
cornerstone of our freedom. It is what guarantees equal
justice. And the Senate now has the chance to protect this
glorious heritage by sending Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the United States
Supreme Court.
And now, Judge, the podium is yours. (Applause.)
JUDGE KAVANAUGH: Mr. President, thank you. Throughout this
process, I’ve witnessed firsthand your appreciation for the vital role
of the American judiciary.
No President has ever consulted more widely, or talked with more people
from more backgrounds, to seek input about a Supreme Court
nomination.
Mr. President, I am grateful to you and I am humbled by your confidence
in me. Thank you.
Thirty years ago, President Reagan nominated Anthony Kennedy to the
Supreme Court. The framers established that the Constitution is
designed to secure the blessings of liberty. Justice Kennedy
devoted his career to securing liberty. I am deeply honored to be
nominated to fill his seat on the Supreme Court. (Applause.)
My mom and dad are here. I am their only child. When people
ask what it’s like to be an only child, I say, “It depends on who your
parents are.” (Laughter.)
I was lucky. My mom was a teacher. In the 1960s and 70s she
taught history at two largely African American public high schools in
Washington, D.C. -- McKinley Tech and H.D. Woodson. Her example
taught me the importance of equality for all Americans.
My mom was a trailblazer. When I was 10, she went to law school
and became a prosecutor. My introduction to law came at our
dinner table when she practiced her closing arguments. Her
trademark line was: “Use you common sense. What rings true?
What rings false?” That’s good advice a juror, and for a
son.
One of the few women prosecutors at that time,
she overcame barriers and became a trial judge. The President
introduced me tonight as Judge Kavanaugh. But to me
that title will always belong to my mom.
My dad went to law school at night while
working full time. He has an unparalleled work ethic and has
passed down to me his passion for playing and watching sports. I
love him dearly.
The motto of my Jesuit high school was “Men for others.” I’ve
tried to live that creed. I’ve spent my career in public service,
from the executive branch and the White House to the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. I’ve served with 17 other judges,
each of them a colleague and a friend.
My judicial philosophy is straightforward. A judge must be
independent and must interpret the law, not make the law. A judge
must interpret statutes as written. And a judge must interpret
the Constitution as written, informed by history and tradition and
precedent.
For the past 11 years, I’ve taught hundreds of students, primarily at
Harvard Law School. I teach that the Constitution’s separation of
powers protects individual liberty, and I remain grateful to the dean
who hired me, Justice Elena Kagan.
As a judge, I hire four law clerks each year. I look for the
best. My law clerks come from diverse backgrounds and points of
view. I am proud that a majority of my law clerks have been women.
I am part of the vibrant Catholic community in the D.C. area. The
members of that community disagree about many things, but we are united
by a commitment to serve. Father John Enzler is here. Forty
years ago, I was an altar boy for Father John. These days, I help
him serve meals to the homeless at Catholic Charities.
I have two spirited daughters -- (laughter) -- Margaret and Liza.
Margaret loves sports, and she loves to read. Liza loves sports,
and she loves to talk. (Laughter.) I have tried to create
bonds with my daughters like my dad created with me. For the past
seven years, I have coached my daughter’s basketball teams. The
girls on the team call me “Coach K.” (Laughter.) I am proud
of our Blessed Sacrament team that just won the city
championship. (Applause.)
My daughters and I also go to lots of games. Our favorite memory
was going to the historic Notre Dame-Yukon women’s basketball game at
this year’s Final Four. Unforgettable.
My wife Ashley is a West Texan. A graduate of Abilene Cooper
Public High School and the University of Texas. She is now the
town manager of our community. We met in 2001 when we both worked
in the White House. Our first date was on September 10,
2001. The next morning, I was a few steps behind her as the
Secret Service shouted at all of us to sprint out the front gates of
the White House because there was an inbound plane. In the
difficult weeks that followed, Ashley was a source of strength for
President Bush and for everyone in this building. Through bad
days and so many better days since then, she’s been a great wife and
inspiring mom. I thank God every day for my family.
(Applause.)
Tomorrow, I begin meeting with members of the Senate, which plays an
essential role in this process. I will tell each senator that I
revere the Constitution. I believe that an independent judiciary
is the crown jewel of our constitutional republic. If confirmed
by the Senate, I will keep an open mind in every case, and I will
always strive to preserve the Constitution of the United States and the
American Rule of Law.
Thank you, Mr. President. (Applause.)
END
9:18
P.M.
EDT
SUPPORT
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
July 9, 2018
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement
regarding President Trump’s nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh for
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court:
“President Trump has made a superb choice. Judge Brett Kavanaugh is an
impressive nominee who is extremely well qualified to serve as an
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
“Judge Kavanaugh has sterling academic credentials. He is widely
admired for his intellect, experience, and exemplary judicial
temperament. He has won the respect of his peers and is highly regarded
throughout the legal community. And his judicial record demonstrates a
firm understanding of the role of a judge in our Republic: Setting
aside personal views and political preferences in order to interpret
our laws as they are written.
"I look forward to meeting with Judge Kavanaugh and to the Senate’s
fair consideration of his nomination, beginning with the work of
Chairman Grassley and the Judiciary Committee. This is an opportunity
for Senators to put partisanship aside and consider his legal
qualifications with the fairness, respect, and seriousness that a
Supreme Court nomination ought to command.”
Republican National Committee
July 9, 2018
RNC Statement
on Brett Kavanaugh's Nomination to the Supreme Court
WASHINGTON —
Republican
National
Committee
(RNC)
Chairwoman
Ronna
McDaniel
released
the
following
statement
on
Judge
Brett
Kavanaugh's
nomination
to
the
Supreme
Court:
"Tonight,
President
Trump
nominated
a
strong
defender
of
the
Constitution
and
champion
of
the
rule
of
law
to
the
Supreme
Court," said
Chairwoman
McDaniel.
"Judge
Brett
Kavanaugh
has
proven his commitment to
protecting the rights of all Americans through a
distinguished career on the D.C. Circuit and his lasting
service to our nation. Judge Kavanaugh is the best choice to
succeed Justice Anthony Kennedy and Senate Democrats must put partisan
politics aside and vote to confirm him to the Supreme Court."
###
Family Research Council
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 9, 2018
CONTACT: J.P. Duffy or Alice Chao, (866) FRC-NEWS or (866)-372-6397
Family Research Council Welcomes Judge Brett Kavanaugh as Pres.
Trump's Supreme Court Nominee
WASHINGTON, D.C.
- President Donald Trump today announced Judge Brett Kavanaugh as his
nominee to the nation's highest court.
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins released the following
statement:
"For
a second time, President Trump has followed through on his promise to
select a nominee from the list he presented during the campaign.
President Trump promised a constitutionalist -- someone who will call
balls and strikes according to the Constitution.
We trust the president
that Judge Kavanaugh will fit this mold as a justice. Judge Kavanaugh
has a long and praiseworthy history of judging as an originalist, and
we look forward to having a justice with his philosophical approach on
the Court.
"From
the day Justice Kennedy retired, the Left has sought to make this
vacancy all about abortion -- even though many other significant issues
are at stake including religious freedom and free speech. Under the
Obama administration, we saw a growing assault on religious freedom and
the courts became a battleground for secularists seeking to remove
faith from the public square. Judge Kavanaugh resisted this trend in at
least two instances --- an HHS contraceptive mandate case and in an
opinion supporting inauguration prayers.
"We
are committed to working with President Trump and senators to help move
the grassroots to gain the confirmation of Judge Kavanaugh," concluded
Perkins.
-30-
Tea Party Express
Tea Party Express Commends President Trump’s Nomination
of Judge Brett Kavanaugh
|
|
Sacramento,
CA –
Tea
Party
Express,
the
nation's
largest
grassroots
Tea
Party
political
action
committee, commends
President
Donald
Trump’s
nomination
of
U.S.
Circuit
Judge
Brett
Kavanaugh
to
fill
the
Supreme Court seat being
vacated by retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy.
Tea
Party
Express
Co-Founder
and
Chief
Strategist
Sal
Russo
said, “The
President
has
chosen
a
judge
who
has
demonstrated
a
commitment
to
faithfully
adhere
to
the
Constitution
without
substituting
his
own
political
views
in
interpreting
the
law. He will be a reliable
conservative voice on the Court for many years to come.
“We
are
excited
that
President
Trump
has
chosen
an
eminently
qualified
Supreme
Court
nominee
like
Judge
Kavanaugh
who
has
an
extensive
and
respectable
record. He
has
already
been confirmed by the U.S.
Senate for his appointment to the DC Court of Appeals, and he should
receive a bipartisan vote from the Senate now. Hopefully, the
Democrats in the Senate will cease their endless partisan attacks and
vote approvingly for seating Judge Brett Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court.”
|
|
To
schedule
an
interview
with
a
representative
of
Tea
Party
Express,
please
contact
the Press Office
at 916-914xxx
|
|
Americans for Limited Government
For Immediate
Release Contact:
Robert
Romano
July 9, 2018
Kavanaugh safe choice for SCOTUS
July 9, 2018, Fairfax,
Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick
Manning today issued the following statement reacting to the nomination
by President Donald Trump of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to succeed Anthony
Kennedy on the Supreme Court:
“President Trump’s decision to nominate Judge Brett Kavanaugh as his
choice to succeed Justice Anthony Kennedy is a safe, down the middle of
the fairway choice who should be easily confirmed with bi-partisan
support. While the President could have made a bolder choice,
Kavanaugh is thoroughly vetted with a decade of D.C. Circuit Court of
Appeals decisions behind him.
“President Trump has gone through the most transparent process in the
history of Supreme Court appointments with the list of potential
nominees available to every interested party almost two years in
advance of tonight’s choice.
“As a result, the nomination of Kavanaugh is the most pre-vetted in
history, and this should make for a quick, open and honest
confirmation, so the Supreme Court can get to work with a full
complement of Justices for the fall session.
“Kavanaugh says that he believes the separation of powers in the
Constitution protects individual liberty. We agree, and he must uphold
this promise when seated upon the Court.”
To view online:
https://getliberty.org/2018/07/kavanaugh-safe-choice-for-scotus/
Interview Availability: Please
contact Americans for Limited Government at
703-383-0880 ext. 1003 or at
media@limitgov.org to
arrange
an
interview
with
ALG
experts.
###
Americans for Limited Government is dedicated to
fighting for the survival of America by restoring
constitutionally limited government, allowing individuals to
pursue life, liberty and happiness. For more information on ALG please
visit our website at
www.getliberty.org and
www.dailytorch.com.
OPPOSE
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer
July 9, 2018
Schumer Statement On Nomination Of Judge Brett Kavanaugh To The
Supreme Court
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator
Chuck Schumer today released the following statement regarding the
nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, a nomination
that puts women’s reproductive rights and health care protections in
jeopardy:
“In selecting Judge Brett Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court, President
Trump has put reproductive rights and freedoms and health care
protections for millions of Americans on the judicial chopping block.
His own writings make clear that he would rule against reproductive
rights and freedoms, and that he would welcome challenges to the
constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act.
“President Trump repeatedly promised to nominate justices to the bench
who are hostile to
Roe v. Wade, and who will undermine our health care laws.
He has picked Judge Kavanaugh from a list of 25 people who were vetted
and approved by the Federalist Society and Heritage Foundation –
special interest groups devoted to overturning
Roe and striking down the
Affordable Care Act. With this pick, the president is making good on
his pledge to ‘punish’ women for their choices. Judge Kavanaugh got the
nomination because he passed this litmus test, not because he’ll be an
impartial judge on behalf of all Americans. If he were to be confirmed,
women’s reproductive rights would be in the hands of five men on the
Supreme Court.
“The Senate has come together on a bipartisan basis to protect women’s
reproductive rights and to protect health care for millions of
Americans before – including those with pre-existing conditions. We
need to do it again. I will oppose Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination with
everything I have, and I hope a bipartisan majority will do the same.
The stakes are simply too high for anything less.
“If Americans believe in a woman’s right to make her own reproductive
choices, and that health insurance companies shouldn’t be able to
charge people more based on pre-existing conditions, now is the time to
fight. I’m calling on Americans from all walks of life to make their
voices heard from now until the end of this battle.
“This nomination could alter the balance of the court in favor of
powerful special interests and against working families for a
generation, and would take away labor, civil, and human rights from
millions of Americans. We cannot let that happen. If we can
successfully block this nomination, it could lead to a more
independent, moderate selection that both parties could support.”
###
Democratic National Committee
VIDEO: DNC on Kavanaugh’s Nomination to the Supreme Court
DNC Chair Tom Perez released the following statement after President
Trump announced Judge Brett Kavanaugh as his nominee to serve on the
U.S. Supreme Court:
“Judge Kavanaugh should not be allowed anywhere near our nation’s
highest bench. Let’s be clear: a vote for Kavanaugh would be a vote to
rip health care from American families and deny women their
constitutional right to make their own health care decisions.
"We know exactly why Kavanaugh was chosen. President Trump himself said
that overturning Roe v. Wade and gutting the Affordable Care Act would
be litmus tests for his Supreme Court nominee, and Kavanaugh fits the
script. He’s suggested a future president could refuse to enforce the
Affordable Care Act, even if it was upheld by the Supreme Court. And he
dissented from a ruling that upheld the constitutionality of the
Affordable Care Act’s birth control benefit.
“Majorities of Americans support Roe v. Wade and want to protect the
Affordable Care Act. So President Trump and Judge Kavanaugh don’t just
stand in opposition to democratic principles, they stand against the
American people. If confirmed, Kavanaugh would threaten women’s rights,
workers’ rights, civil rights, and voting rights for generations to
come. Immigrants, LGBTQ Americans, people of color, and people with
disabilities would be pushed further to the margins. And wealthy
corporations and polluters would gain yet another powerful protector.
“Our Supreme Court must always protect people’s constitutional rights
and serve as a check on the powers of the executive branch. By picking
Kavanaugh, who has expressed his disturbing views of presidential
power, Trump is attempting to turn our highest judicial institution
into a rubber stamp for right-wing Republican ideology. Kavanaugh is
unacceptable, and any senator who cares about the rights and dignity of
the American people should oppose his confirmation.
“We blocked health care repeal last year because Americans came
together, spoke out, and held Republican senators accountable. The only
way to stop this nomination now is to fight again. Call your senator
and vote in November. Democrats must make our voices heard at the
ballot box for the millions of American families who are counting on
us.”
American Bridge
American Bridge On Trump's Nomination of Brett Kavanaugh
American Bridge President Bradley Beychok released the following
statement on Donald Trump nominating far-right conservative Brett
Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court:
"Donald Trump told us exactly what kind of Supreme Court Justices he
would pick. So we know if Brett Kavanaugh is confirmed,
Roe
v
Wade,
the
freedom
to
marry,
access
to
health
care
for
people
with
a
pre-existing
conditions, and more,
are all at risk.
"Kavanaugh is a career political hack and from the bench he has
even
backed
the
Trump's
Administration
efforts
to
limit
access
to
abortion.
"You don't have to be a Supreme Court expert to know that Kavanaugh is
going to rubber stamp Donald Trump’s extreme and dangerous agenda from
the bench."
Tuesday morning American Bridge will file
dozens of Freedom of Information Act requests on Brett
Kavanaugh's tenure as a judge as part of an aggressive and thorough vet
of his beliefs, record, and qualifications.
###
NAACP
NAACP
STATEMENT ON NOMINATION OF BRETT KAVANAUGH TO THE SUPREME COURT
BALTIMORE
(July 9, 2018)—NAACP, the nation’s foremost civil rights organization,
issued the following statement regarding the nomination of Brett
Kavanaugh to be Associate Justice of the Supreme Court:
Today, our
nation
celebrates the
150th anniversary
of
ratification
of
the
Fourteenth
Amendment
to
the
Constitution.
The
Fourteenth
Amendment
transformed
our
democracy
by
guaranteeing to
all
persons
the right
to equal protection under the law.
150 years
after its passage, our nation still struggles to
realize the promise of equality under
the Fourteenth Amendment. The next appointment to the Supreme
Court is pivotal to that struggle. The rights of African Americans
to fully participate in democracy and in every facet of social and
economic life, on an equal basis, lie in the
balance. The next Supreme Court justice will play
an outsized role in determining whether African
Americans move forward in our journey toward achieving full
equality, whether we simply tread water for the next three
decades, or whether we slide backward toward our
former status as second-class citizens.
This
nomination occurs at a time unlike any other, and it should
be considered by a Senate elected by the American people in
November. We have a president whose
statements and policies are rooted in
racism. We have an administration reversing civil
and human rights at every turn. We have one justice and
dozens of judges appointed because
of their proven hostility to civil
rights. We have a criminal investigation into
the presidency itself. We
have radical outside groups pre-selecting nominees to
the Court. Nothing about this nomination is ordinary, and
nothing about this confirmation is ordinary. These are
extraordinary times requiring extraordinary measures.
Brett
Kavanaugh is a dangerous ideologue whose extreme views on civil
rights would solidify a far right majority on the
Supreme Court. Coming after Neil Gorsuch’s appointment,
a Kavanaugh confirmation would re-make the Court
in President Trump’s own image. This
prospect is unacceptable to the American people,
and the NAACP is ready to lead the fight of a
generation.
The NAACP knows
Judge Kavanaugh well.
We opposed his confirmation to the D.C.
Circuit for good reason. In his 12 years on the bench, he has proven
us correct. He has been a strong and consistent voice for the wealthy
and the powerful. Over and over again, he has ruled against civil
rights, workers’ rights, consumer rights, and women’s rights.
With a
Justice Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court, we could see
reversals of hard-won gains securing equal opportunity in education,
employment and housing. We could see further exclusion of communities
of color from participation in our democracy. We could see racism
continue to flourish within the criminal justice system. We could see
the elimination of effective tools for proving discrimination. We
could see the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the guarantee to
accessible health care for millions.
The NAACP has understood the
importance
of fair-minded justices since 1930 when we helped defeat a
Herbert Hoover nominee to the Supreme Court, John Parker. We will
fight this Trump nomination with everything we’ve got. Our state
conferences, branches and units are fully engaged to tell
their Senators that our civil rights hang in
the balance and that Kavanaugh must be defeated.
To each and
every Senator, we say: This is THE civil rights
vote of your career. We will be watching closely. Make
no mistake – we are in the fight of our lives, and we hope you are
prepared for battle.
ABOUT
THE NAACP:
Founded in
1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest
nonpartisan civil rights organization. Its members throughout the
United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights
in their communities. You can read more about the NAACP’s work and
our six “Game Changer” issue areas here on naacp.org. To become a
member of the NAACP, visit
naacp.org/membership.
People for the American Way
FOR
IMMEDIATE
RELEASE: July 9, 2018
Contact: Drew Courtney at People For the American Way
PFAW
Statement
on the Nomination of Brett Kavanaugh
In response to the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh for a seat on the
Supreme Court, People For the American Way President Michael Keegan
issued the following statement:
“Donald
Trump
was clear about what he was looking for in a Supreme Court
nominee, and Brett Kavanaugh fills the bill. Make no mistake: Judge
Kavanaugh wasn’t chosen because of his experience or his life story; he
was chosen as a gift to right-wing activists who have spent decades
working to take over the Supreme Court to push their own extreme
agenda. Judge Kavanaugh’s record on the DC Circuit has made clear that
he’s an outlier even among his most conservative colleagues; he’s
dissented more than any other judge on that Court. His rulings provide
ample evidence that he would not hesitate to gut Roe v.
Wade or
dismantle the Affordable Care Act. And his writings raise serious
concerns about whether he would be an independent check on presidential
abuse of power.
“Confirming Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court would roll back the
clock on rulings that protect women, people of color, workers and the
LGBTQ community. We’ve already seen far too many rulings designed to
protect the interests of corporations and the wealthy above the rights
of all Americans. Giving a narrow-minded elitist like Judge Kavanaugh a
lifetime seat on the Supreme Court would open the floodgate to more and
worse.
“No Senator who cares about protecting equality or justice can support
Brett Kavanaugh. In fact, no senator concerned about our Court being
radically reshaped can vote to confirm this nominee. We are working
with PFAW’s 1.5 million members and activists to make sure Americans
understand exactly what’s at stake in this fight, and why it’s so
critical that the Senate refuse to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the
Supreme Court.”
People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization
founded to fight right-wing extremism and defend constitutional values
including free expression, religious liberty, equal justice under the
law, and the right to meaningfully participate in our democracy.
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