Center for Reproductive Rights Statement on Sexual Assault Reports Against Judge Brett Kavanaugh

(PRESS RELEASE) Statement of Nancy Northup, President and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights:

The U.S. Supreme Court may be called upon to decide cases involving women’s equal protection and personal liberty rights under the U.S. Constitution, as well as sexual discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual assault cases under federal statutes.  The Senate is therefore responsible to the American people to ensure that an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States not only respects the principles underlying women’s equality as a legal matter, but understands women’s experiences that have led to these legal guarantees.

Given the Senate’s responsibility, the sexual assault reports against Judge Brett Kavanaugh must be thoroughly investigated in a nonpartisan and fair manner. 

Those who support women’s rights already have ample ground to oppose Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court. His judicial opinions, speeches, writings, and recent testimony raise grave concerns on how he would rule in reproductive rights cases.  The Senate should vote no on his nomination.