The Senate Judiciary Committee begins hearings on the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the United States Supreme Court today. Hearings are currently scheduled for the next four days with Committee Senators attending both in-person and virtually. Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), who both sit on the Judiciary Committee, are currently in quarantine after testing positive for the coronavirus. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) continues to plan for a full-Senate confirmation vote before the November 3rd elections despite an outbreak of COVID-19 believed to have spread amongst White House officials and Senators at an event honoring Judge Barrett in the White House Rose Garden on September 27th.
AUCD has released a statement opposing the nomination of Judge Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court due to her well-evidenced hostility to the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA): "AUCD supports previous Supreme Court rulings upholding the constitutionality of the ACA, and affirms the Court's decisions that any changes to the Act be legislative and not judicial," said John Tschida, executive director of AUCD. "Repeal of the ACA would negatively and disproportionately impact people with disabilities, especially people of color, who are overrepresented in the Medicaid population." The Supreme Court is scheduled to consider a case challenging the constitutionality of the ACA beginning November 10th.
Plain Language:
The Senate is moving forward with Judge Amy Coney Barrett's nomination to the Supreme Court. AUCD does not support her nomination because she has said she would make a ruling to get rid of the Affordable Care Act.
What this means to you:
Judge Amy Coney Barrett is likely to be confirmed to the Supreme Court and it is very possible that the Affordable Care Act will be repealed. Millions of people with disabilities and their families would lose health care access and protections if the ACA is repealed.
Read AUCD's statement opposing the nomination of Judge Barrett to the Supreme Court.
Watch the Community Call hosted by AUCD with Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) on the importance of the Affordable Care Act for the disability community and all Americans.
Learn more about the process of picking a Supreme Court Justice with our Plain Language guide.
Learn about the upcoming Supreme Court Case on the ACA, California v. Texas.
Read the Amicus Brief on the case from the disability community, including AUCD.
Action Alert: National Call-In Day today!
Today, Monday, October 12th, is a national call-in day: a chance for the disability community to share your concerns about Judge Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court. We encourage you to call your Senators and let them know what losing the Affordable Care Act would mean for you and your family, and the disability community as a whole.
Currently, Judge Barrett's confirmation is all but guaranteed: 51 Senators have said they will vote to confirm her appointment. With Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) planning a final vote by November 3rd, we must move quickly and collectively to make our voices heard.
Plain Language:
AUCD does not support Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court because she has said she would make a ruling to get rid of the Affordable Care Act. AUCD and other disability groups are asking you to call your Senators today to tell them you do not want Judge Barret to be on the Court or to get rid of the Affordable Care Act.
What this means to you:
Your Senators need to hear from you about how Judge Barrett's appointment to the Supreme Court and her stated desire to overturn the Affordable Care Act would affect the life of you and your family. Every call and email matters.
Action steps:
Read the full Action Alert from AUCD for more details on how to contact your Senators and what to say when you do.
Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 (voice) or (202) 224-3091 (tty) and ask to be connected to your Senators.
You can use this easy tool to find your Senators, including local office numbers.
Encourage family members and friends to call their Senators today!
People connected to the White House continue to test positive for the coronavirus after it was first reported that President Donald J. Trump tested positive on October 1st. President Trump returned to the White House last week after spending several days in Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. The First Lady, members of Congress, White House staff and advisors, GOP officials, Trump campaign staffers, members of the press and members of the public who attended recent White House events have also tested positive for the coronavirus in recent weeks.
Plain language:
President Trump had coronavirus.
What this means to you:
The health of the President and other elected officials impacts how our government functions. A virus outbreak within party and campaign staff impacts how a campaign can function.
Action steps:
Learn about CDC guidance to protect yourself from COVID-19.
The negotiations around further COVID-19 relief limped on last week despite confusion over White House support for any additional COVID-19 relief funding. Upon returning to the White House from Walter Reed Medical Center last week, President Trump publicly urged his Chief of Staff Mark Meadows to halt negotiations with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) until after the elections. However, it was reported that Speaker Pelosi and Chief of Staff Meadows have continued phone conversations to discuss the possibility of standalone relief funding for the airline industry to prevent massive layoffs.
Plain language:
President Trump wants to hold off on COVID-19 relief until after the election. Speaker Pelosi and White House Chief of Staff Meadows are still talking about some funding.
What it means to you:
It is unlikely that Congress will pass a COVID-19 relief bill that includes funding to help people with disabilities and the people who support them. You can call or email Congress to tell them about how COVID-19 has changed your life, for example your housing, services, health, school, or work. Every call and email matters.
Action steps:
Read the Action Alert from AUCD for more details on how to contact your members of Congress and what to say when you do.
Email or call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 (voice) or (202) 224-3091(tty) and ask to be connected to your Senators and Representatives.
You can use this easy tool to find your members of Congress.
The second Presidential debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden that was scheduled for Thursday, October 15th will not take place.
Plain language:
It is unclear if there will be more Presidential debates before the election because of COVID-19. The Commission in charge of the debates is working with the campaigns to decide between in-person or virtual debates, when to have the debates, and if there should be one or two more.
What this means to you:
The debates are a chance to learn more about the platforms of each Presidential ticket and to think about who you want to vote for in November. If they are cancelled, you can learn more about the candidates on their websites and by watching past debates.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd! Early and mail-in voting has started in many states, and many states have closed registration. If we're going to make an impact in every election, we have to be registered to vote and have a plan to vote. Now is the time to decide if you will vote by mail, drop box, or in-person, and make a plan. Many states have started early voting and mail-in voting, so make your voting plan today!
"Over the years, I have found that I could be a stronger advocate for others and myself to be engaged in the elections. It's important for your voice to be heard. Being actively engaged is integral for developing change."
This week on AUCD Policy Talk, we revisit a post by Joe Basey, a self-advocate and the Executive Director of the American Cerebral Palsy Foundation, on the power of the disability vote.
In Part 2 of this week's Vintage #TWL, Liz and former AUCD Executive Director Andy Imparato continue their discussion of the Supreme Court with a focus on how Supreme Court cases have shaped disability policy in the past, and how Supreme Court rulings can impact the lives of people with disabilities in the future.
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