Abortion focus of fight over top judge
WASHINGTON •Thefuture of America’s abortion law is on the line as a ferocious battle looms over President Donald Trump’s latest nominee to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court, D.C. Appeals Court Judge Brett Kavanaugh.
Politicians on both sides began rallying supporters, and millions are set to be spent on ads, as Kavanaugh becomes a focal point for the midterm congressional elections in November.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York is vowing to fight the nomination “with everything I have.” Schumer warned, “In selecting Judge Kavanaugh, President Trump did exactly what he said he would do on the campaign trail — nominate someone who will overturn women’s reproductive rights and strike down health-care protections for millions of Americans.”
Kavanaugh’s confirmation could lead in the next few years to an overturning of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court ruling of 1973 that established a constitutional right to abortion across the U.S. If overturned, that would allow individual states to impose tight restrictions on abortion. Activists on both sides of the debate said the future of abortion in America was in the balance.
The Democrats have turned their attention to pressuring two Republicans, Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, to oppose any nominee who threatens Roe v. Wade. The two have supported access to abortion services.
Kavanaugh has not publicly stated that he would vote to overturn Roe v. Wade.
The judge has to be confirmed in the Senate where Republicans currently have a razor-thin 51-49 majority. He would replace Justice Anthony Kennedy, who acted as a swing vote between the court’s conservatives and liberals, siding with liberals on issues, including abortion.
Kavanaugh mapped out strategy with Republican leaders Tuesday, first huddling with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. Joining him were Vice-President Mike Pence and former senator Jon Kyl.
He also met for roughly 30 minutes with Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, chairman of the Judiciary Committee.
At 53, Kavanaugh could sit on the court for decades, shifting it to the right on such issues as gun rights, campaign financing, deregulation and the rollback of Obamacare.