Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California on President Trump Announcing Amy Coney Barrett to Fill Justice Ginsburg’s Seat on Supreme Court
CALIFORNIA – Jodi Hicks, President/CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, issued the following statement on President Trump’s announcement of Amy Coney Barrett to Justice Ginsburg’s seat, despite 62% of Americans saying this seat should be filled by the winner of the election.
“While any of the people under consideration would be a disgrace to Justice Ginsburg’s incredible legacy, President Trump’s nomination of Amy Coney Barrett is a true slap in the face and affront to everything Justice Ginsburg fought for.
“Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California vehemently condemns the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. She has a history of aligning with extreme anti-abortion groups such as March for Life, Heartbeat International, and Priests for Life, and has written that abortion is “always immoral”. She is not fit to serve on the highest court of the land, and does not represent the values of Americans, 77% of who believe abortion should remain safe and legal.”
“Access to health care is at stake—there are dozens of cases that could impact access to sexual and reproductive health care before the Supreme Court, including the scheduled hearing in November on the Affordable Care Act. And 17 abortion-related cases are just one step away from the Supreme Court. If the Senate’s vote to nominate a Supreme Court Justice goes through before the Inauguration, the new makeup of the Supreme Court will undoubtedly put tens of millions of Americans’ fundamental human rights at risk, and access to sexual and reproductive health care, like birth control and abortion, under extreme and dire threat.
“Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California demands that the Senate instead prioritize economic relief for the millions of people who are suffering after having lost their jobs and are struggling to pay rent and feed their families, not play politics with a rushed Supreme Court nomination process.
“Justice Ginsburg’s seat is the people’s seat, and their voices must be heard. The election is already underway, with thousands of votes already cast across the country. Everything is at stake— this vacancy cannot and should not be filled before the 2021 inauguration. Our rights, our health, and our futures are on the line, and it’s the people who must decide who will join the highest court in the land. We will fight with everything we have to stop any Supreme Court confirmation before the inauguration.”
President/CEO Jodi Hicks, along with other Planned Parenthood representatives in California, are available for comment. Contact Elizabeth Wells to coordinate.
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Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC) is the state public policy office representing California’s seven separately incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates. Through advocacy and electoral action, PPAC promotes sound public policy in areas of sexual and reproductive health care and sex education.