By: Hannah Saltz
Brett Kavanaugh has been appointed by President Donald Trump to become Justice Anthony Kennedy’s successor. In order to do so, two-thirds of Senate has to vote for Kavanaugh. Earlier this month, he has gone through many hearings by Senate and many controversies have been brought to light. Seeing as he is a Republican, I believe that Kavanaugh is a danger to the US Government. Many of Trump’s Administration have been arrested such as Michael Flynn, George Papadopoulos, and many others for example. Brett Kavanaugh has recently been accused of attempted rape from the 80’s, considered birth control “abortion-inducing drugs,” and is paid 1 million dollars by the NRA to fund his campaign.
Recently, he has been accused of attempted rape of Christine Blasey Ford at a high school party in the 1980’s along with his friend. Ford took a polygraph test given by a former FBI agent, that proved she was telling the truth. Kavanaugh has denied this allegation multiple times. Dianne Feinstein, a Democratic senator from California (who is on the Senate Judiciary Committee), announced, “I have received information from an individual concerning the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court…that individual strongly requested confidentiality, declined to come forward or press the matter further, and I have honored that decision. I have, however, referred the matter to federal investigative authorities.” This letter was passed on the FBI, withholding Ford’s signature. This letter written by Ford is now available for every senator to read. As of late, three more women have come out accusing Kavanaugh of sexual harassment. Many in and out of government believe these women are lying, some saying (specifically) Ford doesn’t remember the party, which happened 35 years ago. I barely remember what I had for dinner last night. There isn’t a reason not to believe survivors. Believe survivors. The fact that someone who could committed attempted rape (and other misconducts) become a justice in the Supreme Court for life is very concerning.
Though the topic of sexual harassment and assault is more prevalent, Kavanaugh’s views (or the Conservative party’s in general) truly confuse me. I don’t understand why Kavanaugh (or anyone in government) would care about birth control or contraceptives in the slightest. I mean, it’s not like what would happen with birth control and abortion would affect him (or any of men, which in Congress is 80%). In 2013, many Catholic hospitals sued the Department of Health and Services over the requirement (stated in the 2010 Affordable Care Act), that private health plans must provide women with 18 types of contraceptives, which range from birth control to sterilization. Without this mandate, 30-44% of health care that women spend annually goes towards contraceptives. Women of color and low-income women are less able to receive contraceptives through racial and economic biases. Women who face economic hardships are less likely to purchase contraceptives if they’re not covered as well. For example, birth control without insurance coverage costs $850 a year, while with insurance it only costs $35-$200 per doctor’s visit.
Kavanaugh has been paid 1 million dollars by the NRA to fund his campaign, which is an obvious reason why he is anti-gun control. During his first hearing before the Senate, before Senators could question him, Fred Guttenberg (father of a victim of the Parkland Shooting that happened earlier this year), extends his hand for Kavanaugh to shake it and Kavanaugh walks away. Guttenberg specifically stated: “My name is Fred Guttenberg, father of Jaime Guttenberg, who was murdered in Parkland.” The White House spokesman, Raj Shah, denies this statement, saying he was an unidentified man trying to shake Kavanaugh’s hand but security interfered. Both parties held their ground when asked for the truth. Guttenberg is a major advocate for gun control throughout schools. The utter fact that Kavanaugh wouldn’t shake Guttenberg’s hand truly shows his lack of empathy and how little he cares about victims of violence and shootings. To me, he obviously chooses money over morals. That is someone I definitely don’t want serving life in the Supreme Court.
Considering all the controversies surrounding Kavanaugh and his political views, I obviously don’t support him at all. I think he is a danger to the American public and will genuinely cause damage if he serves as a justice.
I attached some helpful links below for more information and credibility:
https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/16/politics/christine-blasey-ford-brett-kavanaugh/index.html
HB IN RETROSPECT 