September 06, 2018

Tammy Duckworth: Confirming Judge Kavanaugh Would Threaten Reproductive Rights & Access to Health Care for Women

Newly released emails reveal Kavanaugh questioned if Roe v. Wade is settled law & suggested it could be overturned

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Patty Murray (D-WA), Tina Smith (D-MN) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joined women from across the country to highlight how much is at stake for women’s health with the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Speaking at the U.S. Capitol, Duckworth explained how overturning Roe v. Wade could prevent women like her from having children through in vitro fertilization (IVF) and how women of color with pre-existing conditions would be disproportionately impacted by any Supreme Court decision declaring the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional. Video of Duckworth’s remarks is available here.

“I’ve reviewed Judge Kavanaugh’s rulings and it’s no exaggeration to say that his confirmation would have grave consequences for women,” Duckworth said. “We cannot go back to the days when women were criminalized for making decisions about their own bodies, when insurance companies could come between you and your health care or when being a mother was a pre-existing condition. This fight is critically important for so many of us whose future hangs in the balance.”

During his first day of testimony, Kavanaugh dodged every question about access to safe, legal abortion. Kavanaugh has previously indicated he would rule against access to safe, legal abortion and emails released today revealed how, in 2003, Kavanaugh did not believe Roe v. Wade was settled law and that the Supreme Court could overturn the landmark decision, which contradicts his testimony during his Senate confirmation process.

The Senators were joined at the press conference by representatives from Planned Parenthood, NARAL Pro-Choice America and women who would be impacted by the overturning of Roe v. Wade, including Donna McNeil from Portland, Maine, who shared her story about the illegal abortion she had before Roe v. Wade was decided.

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