Opinion: Judge Brett Kavanaugh is a threat to women’s rights

Ellie Vasbinder, Assistant Print Editor

Roe v. Wade, decided on Jan. 22, 1973 was a pivotal point in the women’s rights movement, affirms the constitutional right to safe, legal abortion. Over forty years later, 72 percent of Americans still support this decision (PerryUndem Research/Communication). However with Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh, our reproduction rights may be at stake, and it is our job to take the required measures to protect those rights. We must reject Kavanaugh.

President Donald Trump nominated Kavanaugh to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court on July 9, filling the vacancy left by the retirement of Anthony Kennedy. When asked in an interview with Fox whether he wants to see Roe overturned, Trump replied, “Well, if we put another two or perhaps three justices on, that’s really what’s going to be— that will happen and that will happen automatically in my opinion because I am putting pro-life justices on the court.” Kavanaugh is just one of those justices.

According to studies done by PerryUndem Research/Communication, anti-abortion voters are more likely to say the male partner of a relationship knows what is happening in an abortion than the woman having one. Though Kavanaugh, who should be well-educated on the topic since he seems to want them restricted, does not fully understand even Birth Control. During the third day of his Supreme Court confirmation hearings, he referred to the use of contraception as, “abortion-inducing drugs.” Yet that is not what even emergency contraception does. The well known “Plan B” pill stops a pregnancy before it starts. To call these contraceptives “abortion-inducing drugs” spreads a false impression about these pills.

There is much to be done to take action against these anti-abortion officials. In dire situations such as this one, every voice matters. A man who hardly knows how contraceptives work should have no part in restricting them. Reject Trump’s Supreme Court nomination and call your senator at plannedparenthood.org, where there is a script if you’re unsure of what to say. Urge our senators to keep our reproductive rights safe and away from those who threaten them.