Washington, DC— In response to the Senate Judiciary Committee’s vote to advance the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett, People For the American Way President Ben Jealous issued the following statement:

“Today’s vote by Trump’s Republican enablers on the Senate Judiciary committee, chaired by Lindsey Graham, is an appalling and shameless display of disregard for the American people. Despite the dying wish of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to have her successor named by the next president and a boycott of today’s vote by Democratic committee members, the Senate Judiciary Committee broke its own rules and proved once again that they care more about power grabs than the health, safety and security of our nation in the middle of a pandemic. This is not business as usual. Health care is in dire danger. If the Senate moves forward to confirm Barrett, the lives of millions who depend on protections for preexisting conditions and access to health care through the Affordable Care Act will hang in the balance, especially as the Supreme Court is set to hear the case against the health care law just one week after Election Day. Every senator should vote no on Barrett. We will not allow Graham and other senators to backpedal and we will hold them accountable for abandoning the American people.”

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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