NPNA Calls on Senate to Prioritize COVID-19 Relief Over Partisan SCOTUS Nomination Fight

Nicole Melaku, executive director the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) released the following statement in response to Republicans in the Senate Judiciary Committee advancing Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination, in violation of Senate rules, with all 10 Democrats on the Committee abstaining:

“It is shameful for the Senate Judiciary Committee to advance Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination, in violation of Senate rules, and disregarding the 30 million Americans who have already voted and will have no voice in deciding who will be the next Justice.  The Supreme Court should be a democratic institution that serves all of the people; not just Trump and his rich, powerful corporate friends. We need a Supreme Court that is just and fair; not one that only works for a few at the expense of racial justice, healthcare access, reproductive rights, and so many other issues that deeply impact our communities. 

Judge Barrett’s confirmation would threaten the fundamental rights and livelihood of the millions of Americans. The rushed confirmation hearings represent a crude political move to stack the Supreme Court as it may hear cases related to the 2020 election and political apportionment via the census. This rushed process also plays out as the court may hear potential cases related to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), in addition to the cases the court has already agreed to hear regarding the Affordable Care Act, discrimination based on sexual orientation, the border wall, and the legality of the Trump administration’s attacks on asylum.  

Instead of aiding and abetting the Trump administration’s efforts to remake the federal courts, we urge the Senate to align with the priorities of the American people, who urgently need relief as the pandemic rages on. During one of the worst health and economic crises in modern history, we must put the well-being of the American people first.”