More Than A Magazine, A Movement
With his first slate of judicial nominees—who appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday—President Biden has already modeled a commitment to adding demographic and professional diversity to our courts.
Senate Democrats have a huge role to play in highlighting the records and qualifications of Biden’s distinguished nominees—to show voters what it can look like when our courts actually resemble the public they serve.
As conservatives have worked for decades to take over the courts with judges who eschew civil rights in favor of protecting the wealthy and powerful, the courts cannot be counted upon to always protect women’s rights, from their reproductive freedom to their personal safety.
The Trump administration has not only failed to respond to the resurgent threat of COVID-19, but has instead spent the past few months trying to eliminate the law that has been a vital lifeline to millions of Americans’ ability to access health care.
It’s no wonder Speaker Nancy Pelosi recently described this response as “an act of unfathomable cruelty.”
The president is urging the federal judiciary to invalidate the entire Affordable Care Act (ACA).
If successful, 20 million people could lose health insurance; 135 million people with preexisting conditions—including cancer, pregnancy and diabetes—will lose desperately needed protections; and 12 million seniors will pay more for prescription drugs.
The last thing we should do is make it harder for these groups to access the care they need.
Much is at risk in the age of Trump, from reproductive rights to equal pay to protections for survivors of sexual assault and those face employment discrimination. One way or another, these issues all find their way to the federal courts—and the future of those courts is on the ballot Tuesday.
