FAQ on Miers from NARAL.
Oct. 25th, 2005 12:43 am1. If Miers gets confirmed as a Supreme Court Justice, what will that mean for me?
Miers would replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who has been the swing vote protecting the right to choose on the Supreme Court. Miers' nomination means that she could tip the balance in cases that affect women's reproductive freedom. The American public deserves to know whether she would jeopardize fundamental freedoms that O'Connor historically protected -- and it's up to the Bush administration and Miers to be candid about where she stands.
2. When are the Supreme Court hearings happening?
The Senate hearings on the Miers nomination are scheduled to start on Monday, November 7. The Bush administration wants her to have a full Senate vote by Thanksgiving so that she can sit on the Court for important upcoming cases on the right to choose.
3. Remind me what the upcoming Supreme Court cases are about.
Here's one: On November 30, 2005, the Supreme Court will hear Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England. The case challenges a law restricting young women's access to abortion, but the issues the Court will consider are much broader than that. The Court could eliminate its longstanding requirement that women's health must always be protected when the state regulates abortion. The outcome of this case could affect virtually every abortion-related case and law in the country, and make it more difficult, if not impossible, for pro-choice advocates to challenge anti-choice laws in court.
4. What was the buzz about right-wing activists getting insider information from Karl Rove?
Just after Harriet Miers was nominated, James Dobson -- founder of the ultra-conservative Focus on the Family -- told the media that Karl Rove had given him the inside scoop on Miers: "When you know some of the things that I know that I probably shouldn't know...you will understand why I have said...that I believe Harriet Miers will be a good justice." To James Dobson, a "good justice" means someone who will vote to overturn Roe. We'd like to know: why does Dobson get high-level information before the Senate and the American public does?
5. What should I think about Miers' 1989 pledge to "actively support" anti-choice causes in Texas?
In a document delivered to the Senate Judiciary Committee, it appears that when Miers ran for Dallas City Council in 1989, she pledged to "actively support" a constitutional amendment banning all abortions nationwide except to save a woman's life. She also vowed to participate in anti-abortion rallies and work to block pro-choice citizens from serving on health-related commissions. Those written promises were made to Texans United for Life. The Senate must press Miers on her statements to find out whether they represent her position on the right to choose today. If she answered these questions running for city council, she should answer them for a lifetime appointment on the Supreme Court.
6. Who are Griswold and Eisenstadt, and what do they have to do with Harriet Miers?
Griswold and Eisenstadt were parties in important Supreme Court cases establishing the right to privacy. In these cases, the Supreme Court struck down laws that prohibited the use of birth control, citing privacy as a constitutional right and laying the groundwork for Roe v. Wade. Harriet Miers has made conflicting statements about whether she agrees with these important decisions. Miers may not support the foundations of Roe v. Wade, and with important cases like Ayotte coming up, we've got to stay vigilant if we are to protect a woman's right to choose.
Miers would replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who has been the swing vote protecting the right to choose on the Supreme Court. Miers' nomination means that she could tip the balance in cases that affect women's reproductive freedom. The American public deserves to know whether she would jeopardize fundamental freedoms that O'Connor historically protected -- and it's up to the Bush administration and Miers to be candid about where she stands.
2. When are the Supreme Court hearings happening?
The Senate hearings on the Miers nomination are scheduled to start on Monday, November 7. The Bush administration wants her to have a full Senate vote by Thanksgiving so that she can sit on the Court for important upcoming cases on the right to choose.
3. Remind me what the upcoming Supreme Court cases are about.
Here's one: On November 30, 2005, the Supreme Court will hear Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England. The case challenges a law restricting young women's access to abortion, but the issues the Court will consider are much broader than that. The Court could eliminate its longstanding requirement that women's health must always be protected when the state regulates abortion. The outcome of this case could affect virtually every abortion-related case and law in the country, and make it more difficult, if not impossible, for pro-choice advocates to challenge anti-choice laws in court.
4. What was the buzz about right-wing activists getting insider information from Karl Rove?
Just after Harriet Miers was nominated, James Dobson -- founder of the ultra-conservative Focus on the Family -- told the media that Karl Rove had given him the inside scoop on Miers: "When you know some of the things that I know that I probably shouldn't know...you will understand why I have said...that I believe Harriet Miers will be a good justice." To James Dobson, a "good justice" means someone who will vote to overturn Roe. We'd like to know: why does Dobson get high-level information before the Senate and the American public does?
5. What should I think about Miers' 1989 pledge to "actively support" anti-choice causes in Texas?
In a document delivered to the Senate Judiciary Committee, it appears that when Miers ran for Dallas City Council in 1989, she pledged to "actively support" a constitutional amendment banning all abortions nationwide except to save a woman's life. She also vowed to participate in anti-abortion rallies and work to block pro-choice citizens from serving on health-related commissions. Those written promises were made to Texans United for Life. The Senate must press Miers on her statements to find out whether they represent her position on the right to choose today. If she answered these questions running for city council, she should answer them for a lifetime appointment on the Supreme Court.
6. Who are Griswold and Eisenstadt, and what do they have to do with Harriet Miers?
Griswold and Eisenstadt were parties in important Supreme Court cases establishing the right to privacy. In these cases, the Supreme Court struck down laws that prohibited the use of birth control, citing privacy as a constitutional right and laying the groundwork for Roe v. Wade. Harriet Miers has made conflicting statements about whether she agrees with these important decisions. Miers may not support the foundations of Roe v. Wade, and with important cases like Ayotte coming up, we've got to stay vigilant if we are to protect a woman's right to choose.
