The NWHN’s statement in response to Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation to the Supreme Court
Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation to the Supreme Court is the appalling culmination of a rushed and illegitimate process that raised serious questions about her independence, transparency, and honesty while confirming her reactionary views on race, gender, health, science, and authoritarianism.
During her time on the bench, Barrett has proven herself to be an extremist out of step with the American mainstream. Nominated by a president impeached for trying to subvert the election, she has now been confirmed in the middle of that election in violation of Republicans' own stated principles and against the wishes of the American people.
Now, a blatantly partisan 6-3 Supreme Court stands poised to exert its influence on the election, even as Donald Trump has openly suggested he will try to use the courts to throw out votes for his opponent.
Furthermore, by ramming through this confirmation without a single bipartisan vote in an unabashed display of hypocrisy and raw power, Senate Republicans have destroyed the last shreds of the Supreme Court’s public legitimacy. Disappointingly, every GOP senator who once professed to support reproductive rights or health care has now cowardly cast their vote to confirm one or more justices who have made their hostility to women’s health and autonomy clear.
Democrats must now make good on their promises to enact meaningful court reform in 2021 and “unpack” the courts. Failure to do so will create a constitutional crisis and put at risk every progressive achievement, past and future, from abortion access, environmental protection, and health care reform to voting rights, police reform, climate change legislation, and more.
Despite the setback this confirmation poses, the NWHN will not stop fighting to protect women’s health. We applaud our members and the voters nationwide who joined us in rising up against this sham. Together, we helped build public support for the critical steps that must come next. Court reform will not be an easy fight, but we must stand for the principle of an independent judiciary.
Cindy Pearson has served as the NWHN’s Executive Director for 25 years. One of the most respected women’s health advocates in the country, she regularly testifies before Congress, the NIH, and the FDA. Cindy is often featured as a consumer expert on women’s health issues in news publications and for conferences and currently serves as President of the Board of Directors for Women’s Health Specialists.