For Immediate Release
Oct 8, 2020

Contact: Zach Eisenstein
Phone: (202) 265-2405 ext 3330
zeisenstein@siecus.org

(Washington, DC) — President Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) are rushing the nomination and confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States, just weeks after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Christine Soyong Harley, SIECUS’ President & CEO, released the following statement in response: 

“The nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett is an assault on the protections Justice Ginsburg secured for women, families, and the LGBTQ community during her tenure. It is also a disgraceful defiance of her dying wish. This rush to confirm a controversial nominee just weeks before a national election is a blatant abuse of power by the President and Senate Republicans. 

If successful, Barrett’s confirmation would have a devastating impact on the sexual and reproductive health and rights of young people. With Barrett on the bench, the right to abortion established by Roe v. Wade, the expansion of health care coverage–including access to contraception–under the Affordable Care Act, and more critical wins for sexual and reproductive health and rights could be at risk.

The Supreme Court is our last line of defense for protecting these rights. Barrett’s record of public statements and rulings that have harmed women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and communities of color should concern every Americans. 

In addition, President Trump has repeatedly stated that his purpose for rushing this process is to stack the Supreme Court with jurists he believes will side with him as he anticipates contesting the 2020 election results, in a blatant and anti-democracy move to override the will of the American people.

SIECUS joins the numerous calls from across the country in urging the Senate to honor the legacy and ‘most fervent wish’ of Justice Ginsburg and delay the confirmation of a new justice until after inauguration. We urge everyone to act swiftly and contact their senators today. This cannot wait.” 

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SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change has served as the national voice for sex education for 55 years, asserting that sexuality is a fundamental part of being human, one worthy of dignity and respect. Through policy, advocacy, education, and strategic communications efforts, SIECUS advances sex education as a vehicle for social change—working toward a world where all people can access and enjoy sexual and reproductive freedom as they define it for themselves.