Feinstein leads fight against Kavanaugh

WASHINGTON — Every Democratic member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led by top California Democrat Sen. Dianne Feinstein, promised to lead the fight against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh Tuesday morning on the steps of the Supreme Court.

Feinstein cited Kavanaugh’s stance on three issues: abortion rights, gun regulation and health care. Multiple senators, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, painted him as one of the most conservative justices to serve on the court, if he were confirmed.

“He argued in 2011 against Washington, D.C.’s ban because weapons like AR-15s are in ‘common use,’” Feinstein said.

A fundraising email by Feinstein’s opponent in November, Kevin de Leon, called for senators to do “whatever it takes to stop this nominee.”

California Sen. Kamala Harris, who was one of the first senators to release a statement opposing Kavanaugh after Trump’s announcement Monday night, spoke only on her concerns about Kavanaugh overturning Roe v. Wade, saying his one vote would make the difference. That has been one of the main rallying cries of all Democrats in opposing Kavanaugh.

“This is about putting the government’s authority ahead of the authority of a woman to make a decision about her own body and her future,” Harris said. “So if you are a young woman in America, or you care about a young woman in America, pay attention to this, because it will forever change your life.”