FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 13, 2017
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Today, Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to confirm John Bush—a Kentucky lawyer and shady anonymous blogger nominated by President Trump—to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. It is expected that the full Senate will hold a vote to confirm him in the coming days. NARAL Pro-Choice America President Ilyse Hogue released the following statement in response:
“It’s disappointing but not surprising that Senate Republicans are going along with President Trump’s scheme to push through unqualified, dangerous nominees like John Bush who will impact this country far longer than Trump will be in office. John Bush’s record and his shady anonymous blogging make it clear that he was chosen by Trump to appease fringe elements of his base, individuals who share his agenda to roll back the rights of working people, women, and the LGBTQ community. NARAL’s million-plus members will continue to hold Republicans accountable and let them know that a vote to hand this unqualified nominee a lifetime appointment on a court that affects so many parts of our lives will lose them votes in 2018.”
NARAL members across the country have mobilized against this blatant attempt by the Trump administration to hijack our court system. Earlier this summer, NARAL launched a six-figure campaign to highlight the harm John Bush would have on everyday Americans if confirmed to the Sixth Circuit. As a part of the campaign, NARAL has run ads targeting Senate Judiciary Republicans that highlight Bush’s bizarre record as an anonymous blogger, including an ad calling out Sen. Ted Cruz as “spineless” for supporting the nominee.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit hears cases from Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee, states in which reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, and progressive values are already under attack. In fact, a case challenging an Ohio law that defunds Planned Parenthood is currently being heard by the Sixth Circuit. Additionally, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee have enacted anti-choice TRAP laws and a forced-ultrasound law, which are currently being challenged and could be appealed to the Sixth Circuit.
NARAL Pro-Choice America and its network of state affiliates are dedicated to protecting and expanding reproductive freedom for all Americans. NARAL works to guarantee that every woman has the right to make personal decisions regarding the full range of reproductive choices, including preventing unintended pregnancy, bearing healthy children, and choosing legal abortion. In recognition of its work defending our constitutional right to choose, Fortune Magazine described NARAL as “one of the top 10 advocacy groups in America.”
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