NOW Demands Preservation of Senate Filibuster

May 18, 2005

"Here's the bottom line," said NOW President Kim Gandy, "If the right-wing Republican leaders in Congress are successful in implementing the 'Nuclear Option' to end the filibuster, they will have full control over every judge who will be seated on the federal courts, including the Supreme Court. If they win, then every reactionary Bush nominee will be a slam dunk, and we will lose far more than any election or legislative battle — we will lose the Supreme Court."

Today Senate Republicans plan to debate the first of two controversial nominees, which our Congressional allies have strongly suggested they will once again block with the filibuster. Despite their gender, Janice Rogers Brown and Priscilla Owen, have revealed their hostility to the employment rights and reproductive health of women. Senate Democrats were right to filibuster these two nominees when they were first nominated, and should do so again. George W. Bush thumbed his nose at the justifiable opposition to these nominees, knowing that he was throwing down the gauntlet.

Responding to the suggestion that filibusters against nominees Priscilla Owen and Janice Rogers Brown will trigger the nuclear option, Gandy said: "NOW is not pleased to oppose the elevation of two women to important appellate courts. But our primary focus, above all else, is equality and justice for women. Unfortunately, these two nominees have demonstrated that they place political allegiance above respect for women's rights, consumer rights, environmental rights or minority rights."

"NOW's strong, grassroots lobby has been out in full force, tackling fence-sitting Senators, letting our legislators know that 'blowing up the Senate' is not the right option," Gandy said. "This juggernaut must be stopped — because the fallout for us and for our children would be unthinkable."

"The looming battle over judicial nominees is ultimately about the Supreme Court," Gandy said. "Whether or not we succeed in protecting the filibuster may determine the status of women's rights, reproductive freedom, civil rights and the separation of church and state for decades to come. We are not going to let our rights go up in smoke."

###

Sign up to receive press releases by email.