Support and Disdain for Kavanaugh’s confirmation: Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Jon Favreau, Kathy Griffin
U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) released the following statement in support of Judge Brett Kavanaugh prior to the vote: “Having looked at the totality of Brett Kavanaugh’s life and career, I am persuaded to vote for him today.
“The preponderance of evidence from hundreds of people who knew him and worked with him indicates he is a good man with a good reputation for integrity and character.
“Judge Kavanaugh is qualified, he has been vetted, and he should be confirmed.”
Sen. Marco Rubio(R-FL), in announcing his intent to vote yes, argued that voting any other way would have been perceived as “a verdict of guilt” in the allegations of sexual assault made against the nominee.
“I do want people on the supreme Court who believe that the proper role of that court is to interpret the Constitution according to its original intent,” said Sen. Rubio. “But if I had any evidence. or if any evidence emerges. that corroborates these or any allegations of this kind, I would have voted against this nomination in a heartbeat, because someone who has committed sexual assault shouldn’t be on the bench, they should be in jail.”
Brett Kavanaugh
Rubio brought up several times in his full remarks that 150 people have been interviewed about Brett Kavanaugh’s life. In his closing, he repeated that number, stating that after “seven background checks with over 150 people interviewed’ that evidence does not exist.
“On the basis of what facts am I supposed to not just vote down this nomination, but in the process of doing so render what will forever be perceived as a verdict of guilt?” he asked rhetorically. “On the basis of what facts can anyone say or do that?”
After the confirmation: Alliance Defending Freedom President, CEO, and General Counsel Michael Farris issued this statement regarding Saturday’s Senate confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh as the newest member of the U.S. Supreme Court:
“ADF congratulates Brett Kavanaugh, who will be the newest member of the high court and a worthy successor to Justice Kennedy. Judge Kavanaugh has received high praise as a competent and professional jurist from people across the ideological spectrum, and he has demonstrated that he is committed to interpreting the Constitution as our founders intended. That commitment must include affirming our most fundamental freedoms of free speech and religious liberty, which will most certainly be at stake in cases that will come before the court in upcoming terms.”
Obviously the left has been angry about the move, calling in question the future of Roe v. Wade.
Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chairs Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Diana DeGette (D-CO) released the following statement on the confirmation of Judge Kavanaugh:
Congresswoman Barbara Lee
Image/US Congress
“This Senate confirmation makes a sham of our judicial heritage. Despite multiple credible allegations of sexual misconduct against Judge Kavanaugh, his complete lack of judicial temperament, and his concerning record on women’s reproductive rights, Senate Republicans have pushed this nomination through and approved a wholly unfit justice for a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court. The Trump Administration subverted our democracy by limiting the scope of the FBI investigation, keeping the U.S. Senate and the American people from knowing the truth about Judge Kavanaugh.
“Americans for generations to come will suffer because of this confirmation.
“The last month has been painful for survivors of sexual assault. And today’s confirmation sends a chilling message: Politics comes before justice in the U.S. Senate.
“Our hearts are with Christine Blasey Ford and all survivors today, and we will be forever grateful for Dr. Ford’s courage in coming forward to testify before the Senate and the world with such dignity.”
Lee released the following statement on the confirmation of Judge Kavanaugh: “This is a dark day for our country. Senate Republicans have installed a far-right justice with a disturbing personal and public record on women’s rights and autonomy. And they’ve sent women and survivors of sexual assault a chilling message: politics come before justice in the U.S. Senate.
“This confirmation vote will hurt American families for generations to come. Our civil, reproductive, and voting rights are all on the chopping block.
“I will be forever grateful to the millions of Americans who took to the streets and raised their voices to protect our democracy, especially Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. Our country needs you now more than ever.”
“We can’t stop fighting,” write Sen. Kamala Harris. “Progress doesn’t happen overnight. It can be painful. It can be slow. But now is the time to roll up our sleeves, knock on doors, and register people to vote. In one month we have the chance to vote and stand up for the country we love.”
“This day is the saddest & angriest of my time in the Senate,” tweeted Sen. Richard Blumenthal. “The Republicans have succeeded in confirming a dangerous & deeply flawed nominee only by breaking all the rules & norms. The damage done today will be enduring—to the United States Supreme Court & to our country.”
The Big Sick actor and co-writer Kumail Nanjiani wrote, “Listen. You can get mad and also get even. You can do both” while the outspoken anti-Trump comedian Kathy Griffin simply tweeted, “What a terrible day in American history.”
WGA West president David A. Goodman has called the confirmation of Kavanaugh to the US Supreme Court “a terrible day for working Americans and for the entire country.”
“Unconscionable that someone could become a Supreme Court Justice after issuing this threat to an entire political party,” Jon Favreau.
