Potential picks underscore severe risk to health care

Washington, D.C.— Following Donald Trump’s release today of a list of individuals he says he would consider for the U.S. Supreme Court if he wins a second term, People For the American Way President Ben Jealous released the following statement:

“At a time when Donald Trump’s judges and justices are already posing an existential threat to health care and coverage for preexisting conditions, his updated list of potential Supreme Court nominees is yet another emergency alarm making clear the extremely high stakes of this election.  This list is packed with far-right ideologues, many of whom have already racked up deeply troubling records on lower courts.  With four more years in office Trump would likely have the chance to push the Supreme Court so far to the right that health care protections would be lost forever. Reproductive rights, voting rights, and other vital rights are also at risk as more Trump Supreme Court justices would give Republicans even more power to dismantle our democracy. When we vote this fall, we have to remember that a presidency lasts for four or eight years but Supreme Court justices serve for life. It’s a critically important reason to support not just the Biden-Harris ticket, but also U.S. Senate candidates who will only vote to confirm fair-minded judges and justices to the federal bench.”

Several of the judges named in Trump’s new list are currently serving on lower courts. Since 2017, People For the American Way’s “Confirmed Judges, Confirmed Fears” project has tracked troubling votes and decisions by Trump appellate judges, including Supreme Court justices Kavanaugh and Gorsuch.  These cases have all been entered in our Confirmed Judges, Confirmed Fears tool, which is searchable by judge and issue. Individual case analyses are entered in our blog.

PFAW legal analysts are available for comment on the records of the Trump appellate judges who appear on the latest SCOTUS list.

About People For the American Way

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all. We encourage civic participation, defend fundamental rights, and fight to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable opportunity. Learn more: https://www.pfaw.org.

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