Today, 56 Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) Members, led by Co-Chairs Jackie Speier (CA-14), Lois Frankel (FL-21), and Brenda L. Lawrence (MI-14), and Vice Chairs Veronica Escobar (TX-16) and Deb Haaland (NM-01), delivered a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s office, calling on him to stop the confirmation process for the next Supreme Court Justice until after the inauguration of the next President. The letter also highlights the negative impact President Trump’s nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett will have on women’s rights and access to health care for generations to come.

In the letter, the Members state, “Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a feminist icon and role model who recognized our equal stature and dignity and used her voice and legal talents to build a foundation for women’s equality under the law. We are determined to fight for her legacy and voice our strong dissent to moving forward with any nominee amid an election and in contradiction of Justice Ginsburg’s dying wish that she not be replaced until the next President is installed. Further, we are concerned that the confirmation of President Trump’s nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett will turn back the clock on decades of progress made in access to health care, reproductive freedom, women’s rights, civil rights, voter protections, and more.”

The Member’s letter concludes, “With women’s basic rights and freedoms on the line, we implore you not to move forward with a nominee before the inauguration. As you have stated, ‘The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.’ Unlike in 2016, when this statement was made, we are in the middle of an election, with one million voters having already cast their votes. They deserve to have their voices heard and to have the integrity of the Supreme Court maintained.”

A copy of the letter was hand delivered to Senator McConnell’s office by several DWC members and is attached to this press release.

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