Had it not been for the landmark Brown v. Board of Education, I likely would not have become a lawyer, or a prosecutor, or been elected district attorney, or the Attorney General of California. And I certainly would not have been a United States Senator.
As part of only the second class to integrate the Berkeley public schools, I know from firsthand experience how consequential an individual justice on the Supreme Court can be to the lives of Americans.
When at its best, the Supreme Court has advanced the cause of justice and enforced the principle of equality; at its worst, it has upheld racial segregation, voter suppression, and the right of corporations to flood dark money into elections.
Brett Kavanaugh represents a fundamental threat to the promise of justice and equality, which is why I am announcing that I will oppose his nomination to the Supreme Court.
Trump made clear during the 2016 presidential campaign that he’d create a litmus test for Supreme Court Justices — overturn Roe v. Wade and rule against the Affordable Care Act.
Judge Kavanaugh makes good on that promise. As recently as last year, he disregarded Supreme Court precedent on Roe and opposed the reproductive health care rights of a vulnerable young woman — in a ruling that was overturned by a sitting of all judges on his court.
The health of women and the rights of all Americans are on the line in this Supreme Court fight. Numerous cases involving women’s health are only one step away from the Supreme Court. Those are the stakes of this nomination and we must demand a mainstream jurist worthy of our country.
Not a single one of us can afford to sit on the sidelines if we’re going to win this fight. Thanks for taking action tonight.
I’ll be in touch soon with more.
— Kamala
