Kavanaugh Confirmation Hearing

from AUCD:

Last week's confirmation hearing for Brett Kavanaugh did nothing to allay concerns that if he were appointed to the Supreme Court, he would pose a threat to the hard-won rights and protections for people with disabilities.  Judge Kavanaugh’s record  indicates that his confirmation would place at risk access to health care and civil rights protections for people with disabilities, opportunities for people with disabilities to make choices about their own lives, and the ability of executive branch agencies to interpret and enforce laws protecting people with disabilities.   

                            What We Learned at Kavanaugh's Confirmation Hearing

During his hearing, Judge Kavanaugh refused to answer even basic questions concerning his views on important issues, and repeatedly refused to say that he would uphold the Affordable Care Act's protections.  

The hearing featured testimony from Liz Weintraub, senior advocacy specialist at the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, about her concerns that Judge Kavanaugh has shown a lack of respect for the self-determination rights of people with disabilities. "If Judge Kavanaugh is confirmed," said Weintraub, "I'm afraid that my right to make decisions for myself will be taken away."  

Jackson Corbin, a 13-year old boy with complex medical needs due to Noonan's Syndrome, testified about the impact that appointing Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court would have on health care.  Corbin said:  "If you destroy protections for preexisting conditions, you leave me and all kids and adults like me without care and without the ability to afford our care, all because of who we are."   

                              What You Can Do

The Senate Judiciary Committee, and then the full Senate, will soon vote on Kavanaugh's nomination.  Here is what you can do:

• Visit, write or call your Senators.  Educate them about Kavanaugh’s disability record and raise concerns.  If you can, tell them to vote no on Kavanaugh’s nomination.  
• Call Senators through the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121
• Join us for a Call in Day, Friday September 14, 2018
• If you live in Maine, Alaska, Indiana, Alabama, North Dakota, or West Virginia, it is particularly important to contact your senators.   
• Email key staffers for these senators if you live in one of those states:

Maine (Susan Collins):  amy_pellegrino@aging.senate.gov, katie_brown@collins.senate.gov

Alaska (Lisa Murkowski): garrett_boyle@murkowski.senate.gov, nathan_bergerbest@murkowski.senate.gov

Indiana (Joe Donnelly):  joseph_mcnally@donnelly.senate.gov, sarah_bauer@donnelly.senate.gov

Alabama (Doug Jones):  katie_campbell@jones.senate.gov, cissy_jackson@jones.senate.gov

North Dakota (Heidi Heitkamp):  megan_descamps@heitkamp.senate.gov, liam_forsythe@heitkamp.senate.gov

West Virginia (Joe Manchin):  katherine_cassling@manchin.senate.gov, allison_mcneill@manchin.senate.gov

Nevada (Dean Heller):  rachel_green@heller.senate.gov, sarah_paul@heller.senate.gov

Templates to write your Senators:  link to ask to oppose (Access Living) and link to educate and raise concerns (AUCD)

Background Materials on Kavanaugh and disability:

     

• Bazelon Center's analysis of Kavanaugh's disability record
• Letter from 104 disability organizations opposing Kavanaugh's nomination
• Ten Reasons People with Disabilities Should Oppose Judge Kavanaugh's Nomination
• Center for Public Representation's resource re why the Supreme Court is important for people with disabilities and summary of Kavanaugh's disability record
• AUCD's opposition statement
• AUCD's plain language talking points
• NCIL's opposition statement
• Center for American Progress piece
• Robyn Powell's Rewire piece
• What the Kavanaugh Nomination Means for People with Disabilities: Access to Health Care
• What the Kavanaugh Nomination Means for People with Disabilities: Right to Make Your Own Choices
• Grassroots Kavanaugh explainer (Center for Public Representation, Autistic Self Advocacy Network & Access Living)