LULAC Sends Letter Strongly Opposing Kavanaugh
Washington, DC – The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) has added its voice vigorously opposing the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court in its letter to Senate members and instead calls for an FBI investigation into charges of sexual accusations made by two women against the nominee.
“Our purpose in writing this letter is to unequivocally set out the principle reasons why Mr. Kavanaugh is not suited to serve on the nation’s highest court,” said Domingo Garcia, LULAC National President. “For example, his previous legal decisions demonstrate views of grave concern to LULAC because of the impact upon undocumented Latino workers and individuals with disabilities,” added Garcia.
Garcia’s comments presented to Senate Judiciary Committee members refer to a 2008 decision by Kavanaugh which reflects a bias against Latino employees working for Agri Processor Co. Inc who were performing legitimate jobs but whose undocumented status denied them the right to collective bargaining. Also, in separate cases in 2007, 2008 and 2017 respectively, Kavanaugh consistently decided against individuals with mental disabilities.
“Further, LULAC believes strongly that confirming this nominee would inevitably lead to very serious setbacks in the voting and civil rights of minorities and lower income individuals throughout the United States,” said Sindy Benavides, Chief Executive Officer. “It is clear that Judge Kavanaugh holds views which restrict access to justice for those who are among the most vulnerable and deserve a greater measure of protection,” states Benavides.
In 2012, Kavanaugh supported the South Carolina Voter ID law which would have adversely excluded as many as 80,000 minority registered voters. Also, his brief before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1999 supported denying affirmative action and his written record accuses the court of overstepping its bounds when it ruled in Miranda v Arizona that evidence obtained through an illegal search cannot be used in court.
“Also, our opposition to Judge Kavanaugh goes beyond legal citations and comments attributed to him,” says Garcia. “There is the higher moral standard that must be met by a jurist who will occupy this most trusted position essentially for life and this nominee’s moral character is still in question. This process requires a thorough examination of all the facts to remove any doubts about his conduct if he is to be confirmed fairly,” he concludes.
LULAC urges the Judiciary Committee to suspend further consideration of Kavanaugh’s confirmation until the charges of sexual assault brought forward by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Deborah Ramirez are fully investigated by the FBI. The letter also calls for the committee to hear testimony from experts in psychological trauma including the immediate and long term effects suffered by victims of sexual assault.
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The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org.
