‘Our Laws, Our Lives Will Be Damaged If Senate Confirms Gorsuch,’ Women’s Leader Says

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- The National Partnership for Women and Families issued the following statement by President Debra L. Ness:

"Our country has a tremendous amount at stake as the Senate begins considering whether to confirm Judge Neil Gorsuch for a lifetime appointment on our highest court. Every senator has an obligation to assess this nominee based on more than his legal credentials; they must carefully consider Judge Gorsuch's record. When they do, it will be clear he cannot be relied upon to safeguard our civil rights and liberties and continue the progress toward equality for all.

"The Senate Judiciary Committee's confirmation hearing, and the votes that follow, will shape our future. That is why the National Partnership published a new report: http://www.nationalpartnership.org/research-library/judges-supreme-court/judicial-nominations/the-nomination-of-judge-neil-gorsuch-to-us-supreme-court.pdf that looks in depth at Judge Gorsuch's record. It concludes that he is wrong for the court and wrong for the country.

"President Trump promised to appoint a justice who is fundamentally hostile to reproductive rights, and he has done that with Judge Gorsuch. Throughout his career, Judge Gorsuch has interpreted the law to narrow women's reproductive rights, even supporting for-profit corporations' efforts to use religion to deny their employees insurance coverage for birth control. His record on women's rights is far outside the mainstream of legal thinking in this country.

"Judge Gorsuch has regularly sided with corporations over people, whether the issue was sex discrimination or worker safety. He has ruled to undermine the rights of immigrants and LGBTQ individuals, among others. Some of his rulings against employees attempting to vindicate their rights have been callous and grossly insensitive. His record clearly indicates that he would rule to make the country less fair for women, people of color, immigrants, LGBTQ individuals and all those who face discrimination.

"In the years ahead, the Supreme Court will issue decisions that affect our right to choose abortion, our right to privacy, women's rights, workers' rights, civil rights, immigrants' rights, LGBTQ rights, voting rights and other essential laws. The next justice will be positioned to either protect or undermine these rights and liberties. His record clearly indicates Judge Gorsuch would stand against the interests of women and all people who face discrimination. His confirmation would be devastating for women's rights and health and for efforts to make our country more fair. Our laws and our lives would be damaged by his confirmation. The Senate must refuse to confirm."

The National Partnership's new report, "The Nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court: A Threat to Women, Workers and All Those Who Face Discrimination," is available online here: http://www.nationalpartnership.org/research-library/judges-supreme-court/judicial-nominations/the-nomination-of-judge-neil-gorsuch-to-us-supreme-court.pdf

The National Partnership for Women & Families is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy group dedicated to promoting fairness in the workplace, access to quality health care and policies that help women and men meet the dual demands of work and family. More information is available at www.NationalPartnership.org.

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