New York, October 8, 2020 - Earlier today, the boards of the Union for Reform Judaism and Central Conference of American Rabbis adopted resolutions in opposition to the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court. The following statement was released by URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs, URJ North American Board Chair Jennifer Brodkey Kaufman, CCAR CEO Rabbi Hara Person, and CCAR President Rabbi Ron Segal:
As an academic and on the bench, Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s record makes clear that her appointment to the Supreme Court would jeopardize the most fundamental rights we have long supported, including reproductive rights, health care, LGBTQ equality and more. We have communicated to Senators that we hope they will oppose her nomination, and equally importantly, uphold the will of voters by not voting on any nominee until the next Congress and President are sworn in.
Justices rule on cases that have implications for every aspect of Americans’ lives, from conception to death. Though she has many professional and intellectual qualifications, Judge Barrett’s elevation would gravely endanger long-held positions of the Reform Movement. Given that the Court this term will hear arguments in the latest challenge to the Affordable Care Act, Judge Barrett could be a decisive vote to overturn the landmark law that has provided health coverage for millions of Americans – a terrifying thought in the middle of a global pandemic. With the fate of Roe v Wade in the balance, Judge Barrett’s past statements critiquing that historic decision, as well as her expressed comfort with overturning the principle of stare decisis, means reproductive rights nationwide are at risk. And rather than affirm the dignity that should be accorded to every individual, no matter sexual orientation or gender identity, Judge Barrett sympathized with Supreme Court Justices who ruled against marriage equality and expressed restrictive views of existing legal rights of transgender individuals. These are not the views that should be confirmed to a lifetime seat on the highest court in the land.
Jacobs: Senators should vote against this nomination. Equally importantly, senators should follow the very precedent they established and not vote on any nominee until after the will of voters is clear and especially not now when millions of Americans are already casting their ballots.
Kaufman: We have weighed in only rarely on Supreme Court nominations. There is too much at stake to be silent now: Judge Barrett’s record threatens the values we have championed as Reform Jews, and she should not be confirmed.
Person: The moments when our country has been strongest are when we have ensured rights and protections for the vulnerable. Judge Barrett’s confirmation would turn back the clock, to our peril.
Segal: A Supreme Court seat for Judge Barrett will put vital protections and rights in jeopardy for a generation. The Senate should reject Judge Barrett’s nomination.
Please read the full text: Resolution in Opposition to the Confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court
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