Union leaders oppose conservative Supreme Court nominee Kavanaugh
WASHINGTON Unions are launching a vigorous fight to prevent the confirmation of U. S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
The Association of Federal State County and Municipal Employees is set to “turn up the heat.” The American Federation of Teachers has made at least 20,000 phone calls to five senators — a mix of pro-choice Republicans and red-state Democrats believed to be on the fence and persuadable. The National Education Association is activating its membership. And the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations is promising a “full-throated mobilization” of its members.
Leaders of the four unions on Thursday joined U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., on a conference call to demand the rejection of Judge Kavanaugh, 53, a Trump nominee praised by supporters for his intellect, temperament, qualifications, integrity and judicial philosophy. He know is a federal appeals judge in Washington.
Labor leaders and Democrats such as Mr. Casey say Judge Kavanaugh is an ideologue whose confirmation would shift the balance of the court toward corporations and the wealthy. They pointed toward Judge Kavanaugh’s rulings for businesses and his reluctance to apply the Chevron doctrine, in which courts give deference to agency experts in cases where regulations are ambiguous.
“This is a [judge] who does not believe in giving deference to the expertise of the various agencies,” said AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka, a Pittsburgh native. “He is willing to substitute his ideology for their expertise, and that is dangerous for every progressive group and every American out there.”
Republicanshave a narrow, 51-49, majority in the Senate. With the medical absence of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., Republicans can’t afford to lose a single vote if Democrats band togetherin opposition.
Labor leaders see an opportunity to influence the outcome as they send the message to vulnerable incumbents that their members will be reluctant to cast ballots in November for any senator whovotes for confirmation.
“There will be a reaction at the ballot box in November,” said AFSCME president Lee Saunders.
Mr. Casey opposed the nomination even before President Donald Trump announced his pick. He knew the name would come from a list recommended by the conservative Federalist Society andthe Heritage Foundation, which the senator believes to be far-right groups that put corporationsbefore workers.
U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, RHazleton, who is running for Mr. Casey’s seat in November, said the senator shouldn’t have made up his mind to oppose the nomination without first meeting Judge Kavanaugh.
U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, who met with Judge Kavanaugh last week, said he intends to vote for confirmation. Mr. Toomey said he is confident Judge Kavanaugh will uphold the law and not impose his ideology.
If confirmed Judge Kavanaugh will replace Justice Anthony Kennedy, who last month announced his retirement.