California Democrats Pledge Fight Against Kavanaugh Nomination

California's senators say they will fight Brett Kavanaugh's nomination

California's Senators are vowing to fight the confirmation of President Donald Trump's second Supreme Court nominee. Senators Kamala Harris and Dianne Feinstein are both on the Senate Judiciary committee which will conduct hearings on Brett Kavanaugh's nomination. 

One major concern for Democrats is whether the justices would overturn Roe v. Wade, the decision that legalized abortion in 1973. Both say Kavanaugh's confirmation would do lasting damage to those 

In a statement released shortly after Trump announced his pick to succeed the retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy, Harris called Kavanaugh a conservative ideologue, instead of a mainstream jurist. 

“Judge Brett Kavanaugh represents a direct and fundamental threat to (the) promise of equality, and so I will oppose his nomination to the Supreme Court,” Harris said.

Harris cited opinions Kavanaugh had written, including one that would have denied a 17-year-old undocumented immigrant the ability to have an abortion, and another that backed an employer's right to refuse birth control-coverage in health plans. 

"Kavanaugh has made his purpose clear in every decision on the issue of choice," Harris said. 

California's senior senator and the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, Dianne Feinstein, did not indicate whether she would vote to confirm Kavanaugh. However, she made it clear in a statement that she did not believe Kavanaugh was who she had in mind for Kennedy's replacement. 

“His views are far outside the legal mainstream when it comes to access to health care, executive power, gun safety, worker protections, women’s reproductive freedom, and the government’s ability to ensure clean air and water, to name a few,” Feinstein said. “We need a nominee who understands that the court is there to protect the rights of all Americans, not just political interest groups and the powerful.”

Feinstein was among five Democrats who turned down an invitation to the White House to watch as Trump revealed the nominee. 

Republicans have been thrilled with Trump's choice, with key interest groups signaling their approval. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) called Kavanaugh "one of the most qualified Supreme Court nominees to come before the Senate.”

Photo: Getty Images


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content