WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Monday, President Donald Trump nominated federal appeals court Judge Brett Kavanaugh to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy as Associate Justice on the Supreme Court.

Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell releases the following statement:

“Our high court plays a critical role in ensuring fairness, justice and equality under the Constitution,” said Rep. Terri Sewell. “It was the Supreme Court that ultimately ordered an end to Jim Crow segregation in Brown v. Board and that put a stop to the use of poll taxes in our elections. As our courts consider cases today that will have a direct impact on Alabama, from challenges to the Affordable Care Act to cases on modern-day voter suppression, it is critically important that Justice Kennedy’s replacement bring a strong sense of equality, fairness, and justice for all to the job.”

“Unfortunately, an initial review of Judge Kavanaugh’s record shows that he will likely drive the Supreme Court farther to the right, threatening further attacks on access to health care, our right to vote, affirmative action, and all the important progress that we have made as a nation. The Senate now has the responsibility of carefully considering Judge Kavanaugh’s record, his judicial leanings, and his reading of the Constitution. I urge our Senators to take great care in their review of this nomination and oppose any addition to the Supreme Court that threatens the equality and progress that are so important to my constituents and our great nation.” 

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Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) is serving her fourth term representing Alabama’s 7th Congressional district. She sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was recently appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Sewell is a Chief Deputy Whip and serves on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee of the Democratic Caucus. She is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, and Vice Chair of Outreach for the New Democrat Coalition.