Call to Action

Call your Senators and tell them to oppose any Supreme Court nominee.

Justice Anthony Kennedy’s retirement sets up a monumental shift in the balance of the Supreme Court. Kennedy was often (but not always) a moderating force on the Court, and was key to many instrumental decisions on issues that affect us all. If Trump successfully installs an extreme justice to fill that seat, the Court will rubber stamp the Trump agenda for a generation to come. We don’t need to wait to hear who the nominee is—Trump has already put out a list he will choose from, and the entire list is unacceptable.

THE HARD TRUTH: THERE IS NO PROCEDURAL TOOL TO STOP

The last time there was a vacancy on the Supreme Court, it was after Justice Scalia passed away and Mitch McConnell used an unprecedented level of obstruction to keep President Obama’s nominee, Merrick Garland, from so much as having a hearing in the Senate. This kept the seat vacant for over a year, until Trump became president and nominated Neil Gorsuch.

Up until that point, Senate rules required Supreme Court nominees to get 60 votes to be confirmed to the bench. But McConnell didn’t have 60 votes—so he changed the rules, using the so-called “nuclear option,” so that nominees required only a majority. That is still the Senate’s rule today. And because there are currently 51 Republican Senators, that means they have the votes to confirm Trump’s nominee. Unless we stop them.

The only way we can defeat Trump’s nominee is to:

1. Get to 51 votes. To start, we need 49 “no” votes from EVERY SINGLE SENATE DEMOCRAT to have a fighting chance.

Tell Senators Klobuchar and Smith to commit immediately to opposing anyone that Trump nominates from his short list. Each and every pick on that list is an extremist who would dismantle our health care and the right to choose. Both Senators have already called for the Republican majority to wait to fill the vacancy until after the November election, but it is important to let them know you are with them on this issue. Thank them for standing strong and let them know that you consider opposition to be patriotism, not obstructionism.

CALL SCRIPT FOR ALL DEMOCRATIC SENATORS:

Caller: Hello! My name is ___ and I’m calling from [part of state]. Can you please tell me what Senator ___ plans to do about the Supreme Court vacancy?

Staffer: Hello, nice to talk with you! The Senator plans to vote against Trump’s Supreme Court nominee. The stakes are too high.

Caller: Thank you! I’m very glad to hear that. Too much hangs in the balance to let Trump fill this seat with someone from his list of totally unqualified, extreme judges. That includes a woman’s right to choose, the Affordable Care Act, and marriage equality. I want Senator ___ to use every tool at his/her disposal to stop Trump from filling this vacancy with anyone on this list.

Staffer: Thank you, the Senator agrees with you. I’ll make sure they get your message.

PLEASE MAKE THE CALL NOW.

Senator Klobuchar: (202) 224-3244

Senator Tina Smith: (202) 224-5641

 

(Then stay tuned for Step 2…)