US Senate Judiciary Committee hearings into Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s fitness to serve on the US Supreme Court and his views are now scheduled to begin on Tuesday, September 4, 2018.The NAACP has a number of grave concerns about this nomination and about the unnecessary rush to confirm this nominee. From his record as it exists and what we know about his views, decisions , and priorities, Judge Kavanaugh demonstrates no empathy with the very real concerns and needs of most working middle-class Americans or with the unique concerns of racial and ethnic minority Americans. Nor does he agree with or support the policy priorities of the NAACP. Thus, the NAACP remains steadfastly opposed to his nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court.Furthermore, much of his record, especially those detailing his opinions during his time serving as staff secretary to President George W. Bush have not been made available to the public nor to the Senators who will vet, evaluate and vote on his nomination. While it is true that we have access to his thinking prior to serving on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, and then over the last 12 years, while serving on that court, appeals court judges are bound by precedents of the Supreme Court. However, Supreme Court Justices are free to overturn those precedents and apply their own views of the Constitution. Positions Mr. Kavanaugh took as a lawyer and staff member in the Bush administration will also shed additional light on how he might rule when unconstrained by a higher authority.For more information on what we know and what we need to know to make a fully informed decision, as well as how you can advocate, please see the attached Action Alert
US Senate Judiciary Committee hearings into Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s fitness to serve on the US Supreme Court and his views are now scheduled to begin on Tuesday, September 4, 2018.The NAACP has a number of grave concerns about this nomination and about the unnecessary rush to confirm this nominee. From his record as it exists and what we know about his views, decisions , and priorities, Judge Kavanaugh demonstrates no empathy with the very real concerns and needs of most working middle-class Americans or with the unique concerns of racial and ethnic minority Americans. Nor does he agree with or support the policy priorities of the NAACP. Thus, the NAACP remains steadfastly opposed to his nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court.Furthermore, much of his record, especially those detailing his opinions during his time serving as staff secretary to President George W. Bush have not been made available to the public nor to the Senators who will vet, evaluate and vote on his nomination. While it is true that we have access to his thinking prior to serving on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, and then over the last 12 years, while serving on that court, appeals court judges are bound by precedents of the Supreme Court. However, Supreme Court Justices are free to overturn those precedents and apply their own views of the Constitution. Positions Mr. Kavanaugh took as a lawyer and staff member in the Bush administration will also shed additional light on how he might rule when unconstrained by a higher authority.For more information on what we know and what we need to know to make a fully informed decision, as well as how you can advocate, please see the attached Action Alert
