FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2020

Media Contact:
Alyson Malinger, West End Strategy Team
amalinger@westendstrategy.com; 917-935-7311

National Council of Jewish Women Appalled by Senate’s Rush to Seat Amy Coney Barrett

Jewish women decry lack of COVID relief in favor of a sham confirmation process for the highest court in the land

WASHINGTON — National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) CEO Sheila Katz released the following statement today in response to the Senate’s vote to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett as the next justice of the US Supreme Court:

“The speed in which Judge Amy Coney Barrett was rushed through a Supreme Court vetting process shows that lawmakers can indeed make progress quickly if they care enough about the issue at hand. With more than 220,000 Americans dead from coronavirus and more than 20 million people who have lost their jobs, it is baffling that the Senate could focus on anything other than passing comprehensive relief legislation.

“People are dying and the Senate has now confirmed a Supreme Court justice who has openly shared her desire to reverse the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and make health care less accessible to all Americans – in the middle of a global health crisis.

“This confirmation is bad for women, children, and families. In addition to putting the future of the ACA in jeopardy, Barrett’s participation on the Supreme Court could lead to the end of key protections for Americans such as Roe v. Wade, which protects the constitutional right to abortion, and Obergefell v. Hodges, which ushered in marriage equality. This is unconscionable, and as Jewish advocates guided by the value of tikkun olam, repairing the world, we know our work to prioritize the vulnerable doesn’t cease, even if the Senate no longer acts in their best interest.

“NCJW’s 180,000 advocates dissent to the confirmation of Judge Barrett. We dissent to the process through which Judge Barrett was confirmed. We dissent to a Senate that refuses to prioritize the American people. We will honor Justice Ginsburg’s dying wish and pick up where she left off.

“This is not the end of our fight. We will continue to work to advance and protect the rights of women, children, and families and to ensure a fair, independent, and qualified judiciary that will protect the rights of all Americans.”

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National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. More information on ncjw.org, Facebook, and Twitter.