WASHINGTON — Today, the Human Rights Campaign ( HRC ) responded to the refusal of Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley to request the release of relevant records related to Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh's time as White House staff secretary, which is crucial to examining his views on myriad issues, from LGBTQ equality to reproductive rights to health care and more.
"During his time in the Bush White House, Brett Kavanaugh almost certainly was involved with numerous legal and policy issues that impact the lives and rights of LGBTQ people, including hate crimes legislation, non-discrimination protections for federal workers, and a proposed Constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in every state," said HRC Associate Legal Director Robin Maril. "Historically, the Senate has made an effort to consider every public statement or document related to a Supreme Court nominee's career. The American people demand and deserve to have the most comprehensive and transparent view of Brett Kavanaugh's record. There is no reason for Chairman Grassley and the Senate Republican Leadership to hide these emails — unless there's something to hide."
When Justice Elena Kagan was nominated for the Supreme Court, she had also served as a counsel in a presidential administration, and accordingly, the Senate Judiciary Committee paused for nearly a month to review the documents related to her service as counsel in the Clinton and Obama Administrations, releasing over 170,000 pages of information, including every e-mail Justice Kagan wrote while serving in the White House. This amounted to all but one percent of documents requested.
There are over 429,000 documents in the George W. Bush Presidential Library, alone, that could pertain to Brett Kavanaugh's record and provide a necessary insight into his legal views, especially on LGBTQ equality.
The Human Rights Campaign joins coalition partners in demanding Chairman Grassley and the Senate Republican Leadership ensure Americans are getting a fair and unfettered view into Brett Kavanaugh's record.
The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.
