During the first few months of his presidential term, Trump nominated Neil Gorsuch to the Court after Mitch McConnell took unprecedented action to block President Obama’s appointee, Merrick Garland for nearly a year. In the following years, Trump appointed Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett despite unparalleled controversy. Appointed against the dying wish of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Republicans rushed Barrett through the appointment process days before the 2020 election when millions had already cast their votes, despite McConnell’s refusal to appoint Garland for nearly a year when no voting was taking place. The Court now consists of a 6-3 conservative majority and continues to rule in Republicans’ favor. Republican-controlled state legislatures are taking full advantage of the Court’s stance by passing extreme pieces of legislation such as abortion bans, anti-LGBTQ+ laws, and laws making it harder to vote. Progressive priorities like voting rights, combating climate change, and reproductive rights will never get a fair hearing in front of this biased Court. If we don’t take action, in the future the GOP will continue to illegitimately appoint justices, erode the Court’s nonpartisan purpose, and weaponize the highest Court of the land. It’s time we expand the Court to create a better balance of power and put an end to the GOP’s ongoing assault. I’ll level with you — it’s extremely unlikely we will expand the Supreme Court as long as McConnell is ruling from the minority and leveraging the filibuster every chance he gets. That’s why we need to not only protect but expand our Democratic majority in 2022. Then, we can abolish the filibuster, expand the Supreme Court, and continue on the path to progress. I know it’s not going to be easy but great change never happened without a fight. Now, let’s get to work. — Tina |