Campaign Action
Sen. Mazi Hirono (D-HI) was quietly fierce in last week's hearings for Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court, and has remained so, demanding "to know the full extent of Brett Kavanaugh's lies regarding indigenous communities." That is putting her Alaska colleague, Republican Lisa Murkowski, on the spot and the pressure has only increased. The state's largest Native group, the Alaska Federation of Natives, has announced its opposition to the Kavanaugh nomination.
Noting that the "federal judicial appointment and confirmation process is designed to thoroughly vet nominees" and because of that "we did not immediately weigh in on President Trump’s choice to replace retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy." But this time is different.
However, the questions and colloquies that came out of Judge Brett Kavanaugh's Senate Judiciary hearings last week have necessitated us taking a position. AFN joins our colleagues and friends across Indian country in strongly opposing Judge Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court because of, among other things, his views on the rights of Native peoples. […]
During his Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Judge Kavanaugh questioned the legitimacy of Native Hawaiian recognition, citing their different treatment by the federal government, and the fact that they do not live on reservations or enclaves. If he remains of the view that the special trust relationship only extends to Indian tribes with his brand of federal history, including territorial removal and isolation, he could very well rule that Congress lacks the authority to deal with Alaska Natives. This thinking could overturn much, if not all, of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, as well as all other federal legislation and regulations addressing Alaska Natives, tribes, corporations and organizations. To confirm a nominee who does not understand or appreciate the position of Native Hawaiians, and who could weaken the special trust relationship Alaska Natives share with the federal government, would be imprudent.
The statement concludes that, based on even the limited information released thus far, "his confirmation would be for Native peoples, particularly Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians."
Why this is so significant for Murkowski is because the AFN was instrumental in supporting Murkowski's historic write-in campaign in 2010, when she lost her primary to tea-party nutter Joe Miller. At the time, when she had just received their endorsement, Murkowski exclaimed "I will fight for you as long as I am able. I love you all."
We'll see whether that "as long as I am able" has expired.
Live in Alaska? You have the power. Sign and send a petition to Sen. Lisa Murkowski: Save Roe v. Wade. Oppose any anti-choice Supreme Court nominee.