Roberts' Confirmation v. Women's Rights

September 29, 2005 -

 

Legal Momentum, the nation's oldest women's legal rights organization, opposes the appointment of John Roberts as Chief Justice of the United States. Appointed for a lifetime term, Roberts, at age 50, could adversely influence the law and the lives of women and girls for decades. "He has demonstrated on the record his aversion to issues critical to women's equality," says Kathy Rodgers, President of Legal Momentum. As an unelected official Roberts represents all American people, not just the interests of those who have disregard for women's reproductive rights.

The stakes for women are even higher now as President Bush prepares to announce a nominee to replace Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Hanging in the balance are

  • A woman's right to privacy
  • A woman's right to jobs, fair pay and economic security
  • A girl's right to educational opportunity and freedom from sexual harassment

We encourage the President to appoint a woman...but not just any woman," says Rodgers. "The Court should reflect the experiences of the people of the United States, not the ideologies of those who would threaten a woman's liberties," she adds.

Legal Momentum hopes President Bush chooses a moderate who will unite the country, not a recalcitrant judge who will divide it.

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