The United States Senate failed the people of this nation today by confirming Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court of the United States. Judge Kavanaugh is unfit to serve on the nation’s highest court. 50 senators, representing less than half of the United States population, voted to confirm another anti-abortion Supreme Court justice accused of sexual assault nominated by an anti-abortion President, also accused of sexual assault, elected by a minority of the population.
A statement from Yamani Hernandez, executive director of the National Network of Abortion Funds:
“Today is a tragic day for our families, communities, and the entire nation. Once again, politicians have let down those who need abortion care, survivors of sexual violence, immigrants, queer families, and communities of color who have consistently raised their voices to make their stories of inequity known. Judge Kavanaugh has demonstrated that he will not be an impartial justice, but will openly disregard the science of contraception, silence the voices of young immigrants seeking abortions, and ignore our families seeking justice. No matter what, abortion funds across the nation and the people who call them will not be ignored. We will continue to grow and rise as the safety net of care our communities need. We need each-other now more than ever. This is a moment to join us.”
Judge Kavanaugh holds judicial beliefs that withhold justice and equity for all, including his cruel attempt to prevent undocumented minors from accessing abortion care. He opposes healthcare accessibility, workers’ rights, and economic justice, and ruled against net neutrality, striking a blow against truly democratized information and expression so critical to the liberation of all people. Judge Kavanaugh also exhibited a reckless disregard for the truth, a profound lack of respect for bodily autonomy and our right to live without violence, and specifically, an infuriating disdain for questions and challenges by female Senators working to strengthen democratic institutions of the U.S. throughout the Senate confirmation process. We are thankful to all of the survivors and people who’ve had abortions who shared their stories and put their bodies, voices, and lives on the line to speak out against this grave injustice.
We’re deeply dismayed to see the Senate confirm such a dangerous ideologue under the offensive guise of justice and fairness. Judge Kavanaugh and the politicians who’ve worked so hard for his confirmation continue to work against our freedoms every day. Today, we are less safe and less free under the looming oppressive make up of this ruling body. No matter the political landscape, abortion funds will continue to fight for truly accessible abortion by organizing at the intersections of racial, economic, and reproductive justice. When our institutions disregard our lives and security, we will continue to care for our communities through collective power and through the powerful compassion not shown to us by those in power.