Annapolis, MD—Maryland Democrats are calling on Larry Hogan to protect Marylanders from Trump’s arch-conservative Supreme Court majority, which will endanger many of Maryland’s laws that protect Marylanders, including the State’s commitment to Maryland women’s right to choose, equal opportunity, and support for strong labor unions.
Congressman Elijah E. Cummings said: “Governor Hogan’s conservative positions on women’s health are very concerning. With Donald Trump stacking the Supreme Court with arch-conservative justices, I am calling on Governor Hogan to stand with Maryland women and promise that he will take no actions to inhibit women’s access to healthcare.”
Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger: “Roe v. Wade is about far more than abortion—it establishes the Constitutional right of all Americans to make personal choices without government interference and that is what’s on the line should President Trump fulfill his campaign promise to appoint a Supreme Court justice who would overturn this landmark decision. Every elected official should publicly affirm that they will not take any action to undermine the personal liberties that have withstood the legal test of time.”
Congressman John Sarbanes: “With President Trump nominating a Supreme Court Justice that will in all likelihood move the Court even further to the right, Maryland must stand up and fight back against any and all attempts to roll back critical rights and protections. Whether it’s a woman’s right to choose, a person’s right to marry who they love, a worker’s right to earn a living wage or a citizen’s right to have a powerful and equal voice in our democracy, our state’s leaders must work together to protect the progress we’ve made and to keep striving for equal rights.”
Congressman John Delaney said: “So much is at stake with this Supreme Court pick, for Maryland and the country, it is incumbent upon self-styled bipartisan Republicans like Governor Hogan to advocate for a reasonable and deliberative nominee in the mold of Justice Kennedy. Governor Hogan needs to be a champion for his constituents and use his voice to stand up to any extremist nominee and be a positive influence.”
Congressman Anthony Brown said: “Marylanders overwhelmingly support a woman’s right to choose, expanding voting rights, increasing opportunity for all students, and prohibiting discrimination based on sexual or gender orientation. Ben Jealous and Maryland Democrats fight for those values every day – but they are in imperil as President Trump and Republicans choose a new hard-right conservative Justice for the US Supreme Court. Larry Hogan’s silence and neutral wait-and-see attitude is silent complicity and is not leadership Maryland families deserve. Larry Hogan must have the courage to stand up for Maryland values.”
Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor and former Maryland Democratic Party Chair Susie Turnbull said: “I’ve spent decades fighting for women’s rights and reproductive care. In light of this Supreme Court pick, it’s clear that Marylanders need a Governor and Lieutenant Governor who will make sure healthcare is a human right. That’s why Ben Jealous and I are fighting for Medicare-for-All, and that’s why we won’t waver when it comes to protecting reproductive care.”
Delegate Joseline Pena-Melnyk said: “From providing opportunity for DREAMers to protecting a woman’s right to choose, Maryland has served as a model for the nation, but Donald Trump’s new Supreme Court jeopardizes all of our progress. With Maryland’s values now in the Trump Supreme Court’s crosshairs, Larry Hogan needs to make clear that he will stand up for Marylanders and fight back against any attempts to roll back our progress.”
Democratic nominee for State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County Aisha Braveboy said: “With a second appointment to the Supreme Court, Donald Trump is jeopardizing decades of progress in Maryland. Under a new conservative Supreme Court, Maryland needs a leader who will fight for our values and defend our most vulnerable communities. Ben Jealous is that leader.”