WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The National Association of
Social Workers (NASW) is deeply disappointed the Senate voted 50 to 48 on October 6 to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to a lifetime appointment to serve as a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
NASW is displeased the Senate made this choice considering Kavanaugh lacks the temperament and judicial philosophy to decide
on cases that will significantly impact the health and well-being of millions
of Americans. His appointment tilts the philosophical balance of the Court in
favor of those who would overturn settled law such as abortion rights as
decided by Roe v Wade.
Additionally, Kavanaugh’s appointment is unacceptable
because his judicial record has shown that he is dangerously deferential toward big
businesses and the wealthy elite and is willing to cede excessive power to the executive branch of government.
Kavanaugh’s record demonstrates his disregard for the
rights of workers, women, and immigrants. His egregious insensitivity to the
right to health care - especially reproductive health care for women - is cause
for deep concern.
NASW’s disappointment with Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation has
been reinforced by the disregard for survivors of sexual
violence that was displayed by many members of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Their
treatment of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford
was shameful. Dr. Ford showed
extraordinary courage in testifying about being sexually assaulted by Kavanaugh when he was 17 years old. That many members of Congress and the White House would question
the veracity of Dr. Ford’s accusations is an insult to the millions of women
who experience sexual violence around the world.
Time has run out on stopping Kavanaugh from becoming an
Associate Justice on the Supreme Court. However, his confirmation must be seen
as a wake-up call alerting us that “courts matter."
We must not
fall into despair over this setback. Instead, Kavanaugh's appointment should
become an incentive for us to mobilize for the upcoming national
elections in 2018 and 2020. Gaining political power through the ballot will go
a long way in preventing President Trump from appointing another far-right
justice to the Supreme Court. The stakes are clearly high.