Gupta in CNN: Trump and McConnell Refuse to Help Millions, But Stop at Nothing for a Power Grab

‘Let’s fight Trump’s nominee like our lives depend on it—because they do’

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rafael Medina, [email protected], 202.869.0390

WASHINGTON – In a CNN opinion piece, Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, lays out the rights and issues at stake by the Supreme Court vacancy. President Trump has promised to appoint a Supreme Court justice who would overturn the Affordable Care Act and Roe v. Wade. Republican senators know this is their best chance to achieve what they cannot do legislatively. That’s why Majority Leader McConnell is charging full steam ahead to confirm a third Trump Supreme Court justice without yet knowing who the nominee will be.

Gupta writes: “Not all heroes wear a cape; some wear a robe.

“When the nation lost Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on September 18, we lost an American heroine whose superpower was harnessing the law to protect millions of women, members of the LGBTQ community, people of color and those with disabilities.”

She continues: “Much has been said about Senate Republicans and their transparent hypocrisy. But their recent about-face on whether a Supreme Court nominee should be appointed and confirmed in a presidential election year reveals a stark reality: Nothing is more important to them than consolidating their power. And to do so, they are willing to destroy our democratic norms and processes along the way. 

“Part of Justice Ginsburg’s great legacy is reminding us that the Supreme Court belongs to all of us — and not to one party or politician. And right now, many of the rights and freedoms we cherish are on the line as the Trump administration challenges this simple truth.

“Let’s fight Trump’s nominee like our lives depend on it — because they do. For those who are outraged, let us channel that anger in two ways: Demand the Senate not confirm any nominee until after inauguration, and make sure you and everyone you know is voting this year to hold elected officials accountable. Voting is the language of democracy and, this year, we can’t leave anything on the table to save it.”

The full text of the opinion piece is available here.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 220 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.