Washington, DC – Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today announced his opposition to President Donald Trump’s selection for the Supreme Court, Brett Kavanaugh:
“The Supreme Court gives too many indications of having been captured by the far right. In case after case, the five Republican-appointed justices band together with no Democratic appointee, and over 90 percent of the time deliver huge wins for Republican and corporate interests. That pattern leaves Americans to wonder which of their rights, freedoms, and protections the Roberts Court may sign away next.
“During his hearings, Judge Kavanaugh could have pledged to help buck that trend, and reassured those with pre-existing conditions, women, consumers, workers, vulnerable communities, or victims of pollution. Instead, he ducked our questions and fed us the same ‘confirmation etiquette’ we are used to hearing from Trump judicial nominees about being an ‘umpire’ calling balls and strikes.
“The Supreme Court needs to stand alone, tall and independent, and Americans should feel confident their cases will be decided on the merits, not the identities of the parties or the identities of big interests appearing behind the scenes. Judge Kavanaugh has failed to give Americans that assurance, and he will not get my vote.”
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