With the nomination from President Trump of conservative weighing judge Amy Coney Barrett to be confirmed as a Supreme Court Justice, women across the U.S. have been faced with a new challenge, as Barrett will strive to undo Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s actions.
Barrett was nominated and then confirmed on October 26, by the Judiciary Committee for the Supreme Court. She will be the 115th Associate Justice in the U.S. Supreme Court, making strides against women’s rights.
Barrett will take former Justice Ginsberg’s seat. After all of the work that Ginsberg accomplished for women, Barrett intends to put forth her own plans.
With this, women across the country must rise up to fight for what Barrett plans to take away. Although Barrett has already been confirmed into the Court, we must take action by raising awareness for what is wrong.
Her plans include limiting abortion access, which is under the “defund Planned Parenthood” cause. Planned Parenthood not only offers reproductive assistance, but many healthcare needs.
According to Planned Parenthood, the organization provides STI and STD tests and treatment, birth control services, bodily examinations, LGBTQ+ services, men’s health services, abortion, and general healthcare and education.
It is inhumane to take away access to healthcare that women need everyday. It is predicted that Barrett will overturn Roe v. Wade and end the Affordable Care Act.
According to the New York Times, “It was the first time in 151 years that a justice was confirmed without the support of a single member of the minority party,” (Nicholas Fandos).
Without any minorities confirming her, Barrett still received an overwhelmingly large vote at the Capitol. The vote was 52-48.
Barrett has earned a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Rhodes College and a law degree from Notre Dame Law School. She has owned her own law practice and has taught as a law professor at Notre Dame Law School. Following this, she served as a judge in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the seventh circuit.
Now, Barrett will serve as a Supreme Court Justice. Even with her prior experience in law, Barrett is not truly fit for the job as a Justice.
In Barrett’s confirmation, she was asked to name the five freedoms protected by the First Amendment, and struggled to name the following: redress or protest. Holding politicians accountable is crucial. As this information was mistaken by Barrett, it is evident that she is not the right woman to take Ginsberg’s place.
According to WBUR, Barrett is affiliated with the religious group “People of Praise.” Robin Young states that it is “a small Catholic charismatic group that has drawn criticism from some former members who say it treats women as subservient to men.”
In a country where equality is trying to prevail, leaders cannot come forth who believe in contrasting values.
Not all representations are good representations. Conservative weighing politicians who affiliate with Barrett’s views make arguments that having Barrett on the court will benefit women. This is far from the truth, as Barrett will add a sixth conservative vote to the Court, which is already heavily conservative.