Female lawmakers react to Kavanaugh with #SaveScotus — and gear up for the 'fight of our lives'
The announcement of Brett Kavanaugh as President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee on Monday night sparked a diverse array of reactions — on the web and off. There was praise from right-wing politicians and disdain from those on the left. There were scathing reactions about the implications for Roe v. Wade, and glowing reviews of the judge’s commitment to Catholicism.
Kavanaugh, 53, himself offered a review of his own record during the speech, specifically touching on what he describes as a track record of empowering women. He insisted that he’s committed to women — whether it’s his two young daughters, or the majority-female law clerks that he’s “proudly” appointed during his time as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Distict of Columbia Circuit.
His remarks on women, however heartfelt, did little to assuage concerns among female lawmakers. In the hours after the announcement, the women of Washington spelled out their concerns about the choice, ranging from women’s rights to immigration.
The concerns are likely to be used to try to sway the two Republican senators who could prove to be the pivotal votes against Kavanaugh: Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. But while a vote is likely to be far off, for many lawmakers, the fight has already begun. Just minutes after the announcement, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and others marched out to join a crowd of protesters on the steps of the Supreme Court, wearing pro-choice shirts. “We are in the fight of our lives,” Warren told the crowd.
From last night to this morning, here is a look at what the women in Washington have to say.
Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif.
Trump’s Supreme Court Justice nominee, Judge Kavanaugh, represents a direct and fundamental threat to the rights and health care of hundreds of millions of Americans. I will oppose his nomination to the Supreme Court. #SCOTUSpick
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) July 10, 2018
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill.
If Trump succeeds, it won’t only affect people like me who could be prevented from having children through IVF; the impacts will be felt by everyone. Whoever replaces Justice Kennedy will play a critical role in the lives of all women and every single American #SCOTUSpick
— Tammy Duckworth (@SenDuckworth) July 10, 2018
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D- Mass.
Brett Kavanaugh's record as a judge and lawyer is clear: hostile to health care for millions, opposed to the CFPB & corporate accountability, thinks Presidents like Trump are above the law – and conservatives are confident that he would overturn Roe v. Wade. I'll be voting no.
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) July 10, 2018
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.
Brett Kavanaugh's views are far outside the mainstream when it comes to health care, executive power, privacy and gun safety. We need a nominee who understands that the court must protect the rights of all Americans, not just political interest groups and the powerful. #SCOTUS
— Sen Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) July 10, 2018
Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii
Judge Kavanaugh has already been vetted by the Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation– two far-right organizations whose goals include repealing the Affordable Care Act & attacking women's health. Proud to stand with @JudiciaryDems to lay out #WhatsAtStake. pic.twitter.com/LdzE1rQxrR
— Senator Mazie Hirono (@maziehirono) July 10, 2018
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, D.C.
It was watching the Clarence Thomas hearings—and seeing how my voice and the voices of people like me all across the country weren’t being heard—that got me to run for the Senate in the first place.
We have to keep making our voices heard. pic.twitter.com/sJLZKxGAy1
— Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) July 10, 2018
Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
.@realDonaldTrump is using this nomination as a destructive tool on a generation of progress for workers, women, LGBTQ people, communities of color & families, & to radically reverse the course of American justice & democracy. #WhatsAtStake #StopKavanaugh https://t.co/lUDbzInQZ3 pic.twitter.com/oq6954uChh
— Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) July 10, 2018
Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif.
Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s views are far outside the mainstream of the American public. His confirmation could have profound negative consequences for women. Judge Kavanaugh could accelerate the drift to favor corporations over Americans. I urge my Senate colleagues to reject him.
— Rep. Zoe Lofgren (@RepZoeLofgren) July 10, 2018
Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H.
My statement on President Trump's nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court: pic.twitter.com/25a7vKumBq
— Sen. Maggie Hassan (@SenatorHassan) July 10, 2018
Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn.
I'm on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court speaking out against Judge Kavanaugh's nomination to be a U.S. Supreme Court Judge. We need a Justice who will protect the rights of all Americans. Make no mistake—Judge Kavanaugh is not that Justice. https://t.co/AQLRvIcded
— Senator Tina Smith (@SenTinaSmith) July 10, 2018
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