Next week the Senate is poised to vote on the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. The breakneck speed of her confirmation process has been shocking, especially when juxtaposed with the sloth-like (no disrespect to sloths) manner in which they’ve considered COVID relief legislation. Remarkably the Senate has proven they can move swiftly on complex matters, but only when it serves to advance a crass political agenda, rather than something that serves the many vulnerable Americans who are suffering hardship due to the pandemic.
And even more, the appointment of Judge Barrett represents the threat of a sharp regression in policies that uplift civil and human rights. The president made it clear he wouldn’t appoint a justice who would uphold the Affordable Care Act and Judge Barrett’s judicial record demonstrates an opposition to the ACA. This puts millions of Americans in very real peril. Aggressively pursuing the dismantling of our nation’s health care safety net during a pandemic is a moral outrage.
When people of faith see injustice, we are compelled to speak out – and this means speaking out against the appointment of Judge Barrett. People are in the middle of voting for their lawmakers, and this decision, which will have generational repercussions, should be made after the inauguration. Much is at stake: a woman’s right to choose, access to healthcare for millions, LGBTQ civil rights, and voting rights. Join with us in asking your Senator to oppose Judge Barrett’s nomination; and to spend this time now to pass COVID relief.