Alito Confirmed

In a 58 to 42 vote this morning, Samuel A. Alito Jr. was confirmed as the next Associate Justice on the United States Supreme Court. Alito will replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, a key swing vote on the court. In his time as a federal judge, Alito has compiled an extremely conservative record on many issues that speak to the protection of Americans’ rights and freedoms.

Reacting to the U.S. Senate’s vote to confirm Alito, Jen said,

It’s clear to me that Mr. Alito’s record indicates his views go far beyond those of mainstream Americans. I’m concerned his confirmation may lead to the erosion of many values and freedoms we hold dear. Though we have lost this battle, the fight for Americans core ideals must ultimately transcend any single Supreme Court nominee. When we walk into the voting booth this fall, we must elect people at all levels of government who will fight to uphold civil liberties, honor the right to privacy, and stand with workers and against special interests.

Alito’s Record on The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

*** Judge Alito showed a disregard for women’s right to privacy in Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey. In that case, Alito acted as the lone judge on the Third Circuit to vote to uphold a provision in the Pennsylvania law that required a woman to notify her husband before obtaining an abortion.

*** In Chittister v. Department of Community and Economic Development, Judge Alito led the charge against federal laws protecting individuals and workers; he held that Congress does not have the power to require state employers to comply with the Family Medical Leave Act. The Supreme Court ultimately reversed Alito’s decision.

*** In Rompilla v. Horn, Judge Alito failed to consider racial discrimination when deciding a case about capital punishment. Mr. Rompilla was convicted of felony murder and sentenced to the death penalty by an all white jury from which black jurors had been impermissibly struck due to their race. Once again, Judge Alito’s decision was overturned by the Supreme Court.