Washington, DC — Nine pro-abortion groups, including NARAL Pro-Choice America and the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, have formed a joint not-for-profit organization aimed specifically at opposing a potential Supreme Court nominee who does not support abortion.
The group — officially called the Joint Emergency Campaign but referred to by the group as the “G-9” — was initially formed 18 months ago when an imminent Supreme Court vacancy seemed possible. However, because an opening did not occur immediately, some of the group's initial $5.5 million has been spent on advocacy regarding controversial circuit court nominees over the past 16 months. However, the group's fund has since been replenished, and it plans to mount a $5 million media campaign once a vacancy opens up on the Supreme Court. The campaign idea is to mount a “quick, broad strike” at any nominee who opposes abortion.
Although none of the current Supreme Court justices has said that they intend to retire soon, some analysts have speculated that Chief Justice William Rehnquist, who turns 79 in the fall, will retire at the end of the court's term, and that Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who is 73, could also step down this session.
However, it now seems unlikely that there will be a Supreme Court vacancy this year, as the court has agreed to hear a case in September.
In addition to the formation of the Joint Emergency Campaign, NARAL Pro-Choice America last week launched a $3 million television advertising campaign focusing on the importance of the courts in maintaining legal abortion. Groups that oppose abortion, including the Committee for Justice, have also begun “aggressively” raising funds for a “counter-campaign” that would support any Supreme Court nominee who is pro-life.
According to Republican aides and strategists, Republicans will likely use talk radio and cable outlets to get their position into the news. In addition, pro-life groups such as the Family Research Council, Concerned Women for America, National Right to Life, and the Free Congress Foundation are likely to play “critical” roles in the “inaugural Supreme Court battle of the 21st century.”
Lawmakers are preparing for a possible impending Supreme Court vacancy and are “clearing the decks to make room for a time-consuming confirmation brawl” — one that some fear could “paralyze” the Senate for months. Also in preparation for the possible vacancy, Senate Republicans are planning to try to change the Senate's rules to make it harder to filibuster a judicial nominee, although the plan is unlikely to be approved.
(This article courtesy of Steven Ertelt and the Pro-Life Infonet email newsletter. For more information or to subscribe go to www.prolifeinfo.org or email infonet@prolifeinfo.org.)
