President Trump has nominated federal appeals court judge Brett Kavanaugh to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy. Judge Kavanaugh has a paper trail from his time on the DC Appeals Court which indicates that he is a conservative ideologue who will likely vote to undermine the rights and protections for the most vulnerable Americans: people of color, women, the disabled, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants and the poor.
Alaskans’ rights, freedoms, and ability to access health care are on the line with this Supreme Court nomination. Judge Kavanaugh has a record of denying women their reproductive rights, most recently last year when he ruled against an undocumented teenager in a detention facility who had petitioned for an abortion. Roe v. Wade, supported by over 70 percent of Americans (and about 67 percent of Alaskans), would be under assault and likely overturned if Kavanaugh is confirmed.
Some of Kavanaugh’s positions could even cost consumers more money. He opposes the pre-existing condition protections in the Affordable Care Act which limit what insurers can charge older, sicker customers. Health care for those with pre-existing conditions would again be unaffordable. Kavanaugh even is opposed to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which oversees federal financial laws and protects consumers when they apply for mortgages, credit cards and other financial products. He ruled in 2016 that the structure of the CFPB was unconstitutional. Kavanaugh also ruled against net neutrality, saying it was not legal. This judge often sides with corporations instead of the American people.
Americans need a justice who values all of us. I urge Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan to vote against this radical judge.
Linda Schandelmeier,
Fairbanks
