Catholics for Choice Responds to News that Justice Breyer Will Retire
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, January 26, 2022
Contact: John Becker, Press Secretary
Phone: (202) 203-0931
Email: jbecker@catholicsforchoice.org
Catholics for Choice Responds to News that Justice Breyer Will Retire
President Jamie L. Manson: “Rather than fill the Court with more of the same, Catholics for Choice calls on President Joe Biden to nominate a justice who reflects the diversity of this country.”
WASHINGTON – Catholics for Choice, which uplifts and amplifies the voices of the majority of Catholics who believe in reproductive freedom, released the following statement today from President Jamie L. Manson regarding the impending retirement of Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer at the end of the current term:
“We are grateful for Justice Breyer’s 27 years on the Supreme Court – especially authoring landmark abortion rights decisions including Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, which struck down medically unnecessary restrictions in Texas, and June Medical Services v. Russo, which reaffirmed Whole Woman’s Health and protected access for Louisianans. And perhaps most importantly, we are grateful that Justice Breyer knew when to retire in order to prevent the Supreme Court from sliding further into right-wing extremism.
“There is much at stake for abortion rights, racial justice, gender and LGBTQ equality, and many other issues that directly and deeply impact the lives of every single person in the United States. Our next Supreme Court justice must be deeply committed to the First Amendment’s principles of religious freedom and separation of church and state, and the 14th Amendment’s promise of equal protection under the law.
“There are currently 6 of 9 Supreme Court justices who are Catholic (and one additional justice who was raised Catholic). Rather than fill the Court with more of the same, Catholics for Choice calls on President Joe Biden to nominate a justice who reflects the diversity of this country. We are mindful of his campaign promise to nominate the first Black woman to the Supreme Court. And we trust that President Biden’s decision will be grounded in principles of justice, equality, and religious freedom.
“As the nomination process moves forward, Catholics for Choice will work to ensure the confirmation of a justice who will uphold fundamental constitutional rights and established legal precedent. And when the time comes, we expect the Senate, especially the 25 members who are Catholic, to move with all deliberate speed to confirm President Biden’s nominee.”
Catholics for Choice shapes and advances sexual and reproductive ethics that are based on justice, reflect a commitment to a person’s well-being and respect, and affirm the capacity of all people to make moral decisions about their lives.