Blumenthal & Senate Judiciary Democrats Boycott Illegitimate Committee Markup of Supreme Court Nominee

[WASHINGTON, D.C] – In case you missed it, earlier today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joined Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and members of the Senate Judiciary Committee at a press conference following their boycott of the markup of Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court.

“Now, I listened to my Republican colleagues during the meeting today. Their case for moving Judge Barrett forward was to attack Democrats. It was full of bile and anger and grievance against Democrats. They are running away from the issues, from the effect of the nominee to take away rights to healthcare for millions of Americans, rights to gun violence prevention, rights to vote, rights to safety in the workplace. And in fact, millions of Americans with preexisting conditions will be at risk because of this nominee, if it is confirmed. But, watching them in the committee room were real people on posters that we brought into that hearing room,” said Blumenthal.

While boycotting the markup, Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats left posters at their seats with the images of constituents who will be harmed by Barrett’s confirmation to the Supreme Court. In Blumenthal’s place, he left a poster of Conner Curran, a ten-year-old resident of Ridgefield, Connecticut, living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a fatal illness requiring tens of thousands of dollars in medical treatment every year. Conner’s disease is also a pre-existing condition, and without the protections of the Affordable Care Act, he could lose access to critical care. A photo of Blumenthal’s seat with a poster of Conner’s image is available here.

A full transcript of Blumenthal's remarks can be found below.

First of all, my thanks to Senator Schumer and Senator Feinstein for their leadership. Make no mistake, we are 100 percent unified. If it sounds like we are repeating each other’s points, it’s not due to lack of originality - it’s a sign of our unity, and our determination to continue this fight.

Now, I listened to my Republican colleagues during the meeting today. Their case for moving Judge Barrett forward was to attack Democrats. It was full of bile and anger and grievance against Democrats. They are running away from the issues, from the effect of the nominee to take away rights to healthcare for millions of Americans, rights to gun violence prevention, rights to vote, rights to safety in the workplace. And in fact, millions of Americans with preexisting conditions will be at risk because of this nominee, if it is confirmed. But, watching them in the committee room were real people on posters that we brought into that hearing room. Real people whose lives may be decimated by rulings on the ACA to strike it down.

Real women who will lose control over when and whether they have children. Because, this nominee has said, in effect, the legacy of Roe v. Wade is barbaric. She has aligned herself with groups that would criminalize in vitro fertilization. She has shown by her legal positions that she would overturn Roe v. Wade. And in fact, she has passed the trump test – he called it a strong test - strike down the ACA, overturn Roe v. Wade. That’s the reason she wouldn’t answer our questions. She’s already answered those questions for the vetting and screening of right-wing groups that have given her the pass.

Almost half a century ago in the building across the street, Justice Blackmun wrote the decision for Roe v. Wade. I clerked for him shortly after he did it. And, we thought then that this issue was solved. That privacy was guaranteed and yet today, we are still fighting the issue that protects women’s rights. We owe it to them. We owe it to all Americans to keep up this fight, because, we can’t go back to the time when abortion was banned, when contraception was criminalized. We need to move forward. We are determined to do it.

I’ve heard from those Americans who have been watching. The Americans that we brought into the hearing room. The Americans who are scared and angry. I’ve been listening to people across Connecticut who feel fundamental rights may be gone. Our Republican Colleagues have pushed this nomination through in raw exercise of power - they are doing it because they can. The American people can do what they can on November 3.

We’re not done. We’re going to continue to fight this nomination. We will have votes ahead and I hope my colleagues will be held accountable for disregarding the will of American people who want their voice heard so that the next President and the next Senate will choose the next Justice.

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