Community Catalyst Opposes Senate Confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Oct. 27 -- Community Catalyst issued the following news release on Oct. 26:

Today, the U.S. Senate will vote on whether to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court. Judge Barrett's confirmation puts at risk quality, affordable health coverage for millions of people across the nation, including more than 135 million people with pre-existing conditions.

President Trump has consistently stated that he would only appoint judges who favor overturning the ACA, which his administration aims to do by backing the Health Care Repeal Lawsuit (California v. Texas) that seeks to terminate the ACA. It is well established that Judge Barrett has a history of opposing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). During her confirmation hearings, Barrett did nothing to inspire confidence that she would not favor overturning the law as a Supreme Court justice. If confirmed, Judge Barrett would likely be seated on the high court in time to participate in the November 10 oral arguments for California v. Texas and take part when the case is decided next year.

The ACA is far from the only matter of great concern should Judge Barrett be confirmed in this unprecedented and unfairly expedited confirmation process. The stakes of this vote could not be higher, with people's access to health care, reproductive freedom, racial justice, people's ability to control their own bodies and lives, and fundamental civil rights all on the line.

Statement of Emily Stewart, executive director of Community Catalyst, regarding Senate consideration of the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S Supreme Court.

"It is unbelievable that Senate Republicans are rushing to put onto the high court someone who opposes the Affordable Care Act while a pandemic rages through our country. Instead of breaking records to get Judge Barrett seated before the Supreme Court hears yet another case on overturning the ACA, Senate Republicans should be rushing to help the millions of people across the country who are suffering because of COVID.

"If Judge Barrett is confirmed, the health coverage and pre-existing condition protections that tens of millions of people across America rely on for their health and well-being are at great risk. If the explicit goal of this illegitimately rushed confirmation process were not patently clear all along, we now have the president telling 60 Minutes in an interview that he hopes the Supreme Court will 'end' the law. It could not be more clear: A vote for Amy Coney Barrett is a vote to take away our health care.

"Judge Barrett's confirmation also threatens people's freedom to make decisions about their bodies and lives, putting reproductive rights, abortion access and LGBTQ+ rights at risk. President Trump has promised to only nominate judges who share his desire to overturn Roe v. Wade. Judge Barrett clearly meets that test.

"We are deeply troubled by Judge Barrett's past rulings on civil and LGBTQ+ rights, which raise serious questions about her commitment to equal justice under the law.

"Community Catalyst strongly opposes the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, and we urge the Senate to vote against her confirmation."