Kavanaugh “Wilting” in the Hot Seat

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 5, 2018 – Following the first morning of testimony by Brett Kavanaugh at his Supreme Court confirmation hearing, AFJ President Nan Aron released the following statement:

“Brett Kavanaugh is getting his turn in the hot seat today, and he’s wilting. His answers are lackluster and far from enlightening about the key questions we all have about his ability to serve the American people as a Supreme Court justice. Like every nominee, he says he’ll uphold precedent, but he’s already on record discussing rulings he thinks should be overturned. He claims to be a champion of women, but his record shows his hostility to women’s reproductive rights and leading women’s organizations are strongly opposed to his confirmation. And when Senator Leahy raised key questions about Kavanaugh’s awareness of Bush-era ‘war on terror’ policies, or his possible use of improperly obtained material during his White House years, it was easy to see Kavanaugh’s discomfort but impossible to assess his veracity. Of course, the White House’s and Republicans’ decision to withhold the vast majority of Kavanaugh’s records from the Bush administration is what makes so much of this so difficult. That’s why this process should never have gone forward without full access to the records, and why it is so unsatisfactory for the public and Senators.”