AFT Opposes Kavanaugh Nomination

WASHINGTON—American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement on Supreme Court Justice nominee Brett Kavanaugh:

“This nominee will determine the direction of the United States for generations, dramatically affecting millions of American lives. As citizens, we expect the Supreme Court to dispassionately interpret the Constitution and the protections it enshrines. Yet we’ve watched as recent decisions have protected the privileged and powerful at the expense of the rest of us.

“Based on the evidence, Judge Kavanaugh is no different. His rulings raise very serious concerns about where he stands on key issues like employees’ right to organize, workplace discrimination, voting rights, marriage equality, access to reproductive healthcare and corporate responsibility. Equally important, Judge Kavanaugh has written that a president should not be subject to subpoena or indictment, writings that, given the current Mueller investigation, should have been disqualifying. This willingness to allow this president to operate above the law and the eagerness to overturn well-established precedent are an affront to mainstream democratic values. 

“A Supreme Court nominee should be fair, independent and committed to protecting the rights, freedoms and legal safeguards that protect every one of us. Judge Kavanaugh does not meet this standard. He would not serve as a much-needed check on the executive branch, and was likely chosen for precisely this reason.

“We oppose this nomination and urge the Senate to apply the McConnell Rule, delaying consideration of this nominee until after November’s election.”