CAPAC Chair Chu Statement on Confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court

Washington, DC – In an historically rushed process, and against the dying wishes of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Senate Republicans confirmed Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court today with a 52-48 vote, even as a Presidential Election is underway. Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) issued the following statement:

“The rushed process to put Amy Coney Barrett on the Supreme Court is bad for the health of our democracy and worse for the health of the American people. This was a blatant power grab by Republicans who just four years ago insisted that it would be inappropriate to confirm a Supreme Court Justice seven months before a Presidential election. Now, just one week from an election, and after many Americans have already cast their ballot for the next President, Senate Republicans have reversed course in order to hold onto power even if they lose the election. Such a cravenly political move risks delegitimizing the Court, which is supposed to serve as a non-partisan institution.

“In addition to driving down Americans’ faith in our institutions, this rushed confirmation poses additional and immediate threats to the country that will negatively impact the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Republicans are currently in court suing to end the Affordable Care Act and to prevent all votes from being counted this election in order to increase chances of President Trump’s victory. Both President Trump and Senate Republicans have been up front that Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation is key to achieving these goals.  

“Ending the Affordable Care Act would be a tragedy for 20 million Americans, including over two million AAPIs, who would immediately lose coverage. Millions of others with preexisting conditions – that includes the hundreds of thousands who have had COVID-19 – would lose the protections of the ACA and see their healthcare costs go up. Additionally, past biases that she neglected to disclose to the Senate – like her support for an ad calling the decision in Roe v. Wade “barbaric” – indicate that she will be another vote to challenge a woman’s right to access safe abortion care. This could set American healthcare back by decades, denying women the ability to make informed choices about their own bodies. That is why my bill, the Women’s Health Protection Act is more important than ever, so that no state is able to impose medically unnecessary restrictions aimed at ending a woman’s right to choose. 

“For the harm it is causing our country and the people in it, I am deeply opposed to this power grab at the Supreme Court.”

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The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and Members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Currently chaired by Congresswoman Judy Chu, CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life since it was founded in 1994.