HRC comments on SCOTUS nominations

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From this afternoon’s call, here is what HRC has said this campaign about SCOTUS appointments. *When Asked If She Had A Litmus Test For A Supreme Court Justice Nomination, Clinton Said She Had “A Bunch Of Litmus Tests.”* “QUESTION: I'm wondering beyond abortion are there any issues on which you would impose or assert a litmus test. And if your answer is no, aren't certain critical issues like marriage equality, campaign finance just so vital to what we believe in as Democrats that you would have to know the answer as to how these justices would rule before you make the nomination? CLINTON: Well, I'll tell you what, Dave. I do have a litmus test. I have a bunch of litmus tests because I agree with you. The next president could get as many as three appointments. You know one of the many reasons why we can't turn the White House over to the Republicans again is because of the Supreme Court.” [CNN Town Hall, transcript via CNN, 2/3/16 <http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/03/politics/democratic-town-hall-transcript/>] CITIZENS UNITED *Clinton: “I Will Certainly Look For People To Appoint [To The Supreme Court] Who Understand The Very Serious Damage That Some Of These Decisions Like Citizens United Are Doing To Our Country…” *“The next president will get maybe two or three Supreme Court appointments. And I will certainly look for people to appoint who understand the very serious damage that some of these decisions like Citizens United are doing to our country, to try to revisit them, to try to reverse that. But I will also lead an effort for a constitutional amendment, if that is the only way we can get control back of our campaign financing system. Right now we have all this unaccountable money, dark money. And the real big pools of money that I worry the most about are these so-called 501(c)(4) funds.” [Remarks at Henniker, NH Student Open Forum at New England College, 2/6/16] *Clinton: “Imagine That We Finally Make It Absolutely Clear That No Special Interest, No Powerful Interest, Is Going To Be Able To Call The Shots Because We’re Going To Overturn Citizens United, Either By The Supreme Court Or A Constitutional Amendment.”* “Now, I do have a pretty active imagination. So imagine, imagine that we finally make it absolutely clear that no special interest, no powerful interest, is going to be able to call the shots because we’re going to overturn *Citizens United*, either by the Supreme Court or a constitutional amendment. (Applause.) We’re going to imagine a time where we then are free to go back to public financing so all these questions that are raised about everybody in politics can be put to rest because you deserve to know people who are running to serve you and serving you are putting you at the center of their attention, and that you know that you are their ultimate employer. That is what we need to get back to. We also need to make sure that as we look at voting, we register every 18-year-old in the country to vote automatically. (Applause.)” [Remarks at Manchester Community College, 2/8/16] *Clinton: “I Will Reverse Citizens United Through The Supreme Court…” *“I will reverse *Citizens United* through the Supreme Court (inaudible). [Remarks at a Get Out the Vote Event in Concord, NH, 2/6/16] *Clinton: “I Will Work To Reverse Citizens United And To Have Campaign Finance Reform To Try To Get The Money Out Of The Political System Again.” *“I will work to reverse *Citizens United* and to have campaign finance reform to try to get the money out of the political system again. That will take changes in the Supreme Court, and there may well be two or three nominees. And boy, do we need a Democrat making those decisions and asking where people stand on what’s at stake.” [Remarks at GOTV Rally in Manchester, NH, 2/3/16] *Clinton: “We Also Have To Tackle The Political Dysfunction, And That Starts With Campaign Finance Reform, And It Starts With Appointing Supreme Court Justices Who Will Revisit And Reverse Citizens United.”* “Now, we also have to tackle the political dysfunction, and that starts with campaign finance reform, and it starts with appointing Supreme Court justices who will revisit and reverse *Citizens United*. (Applause.) I disagreed with that decision. I’m a recovering lawyer. I actually taught law. I think it’s a wrong decision and wrongheaded, but it is having a pernicious effect on our political system. So if we can’t get it reversed in the court, then I will lead a campaign to have a constitutional amendment that makes it very clear you can regulate political spending. It is not equivalent to free speech, which is the argument that the court has made. (Applause.)” [Remarks at Manchester, NH Town Hall, 1/22/16] *Clinton: We Have To Appoint SCOTUS Justices Who Will Reverse Citizens United* “And I think as Democrats look to the future we need to do both. We need to find that common ground where we can, but we can't be afraid of standing our ground against powerful interests that are funding political campaigns because of Citizens' United. We have to appoint Supreme Court justices who will reverse that. We have to protect the— [Applause]” [Vinton, IA Organizing Event, 1/21/16] *Clinton Asked If She Would Use Citizens United As A Litmus Test In Nominating Someone To The Supreme Court, Clinton Said “Absolutely, But It's Broader Than That.” *QUESTION: So is that "yes" to a Citizens United litmus test ... ? HILLARY CLINTON: Absolutely, but it's broader than that. It's not just Citizens United, Ari. Let's take voting rights. I was in the Senate when we voted 98 to nothing to reauthorize the Voting Rights President George W. Bush signed it. And we did that because there was substantial evidence that a lot of the discrimination that, unfortunately, was part of our voting system that we addressed with the Voting Rights Act in the '60s was still a problem in some parts of our country. The folks who didn't agree with that appealed it, took a challenge to it to the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court really gutted the Voting Rights Act. And their argument, again, in my view, was fundamentally naive. [Interview with NPR, 1/20/16 <http://www.npr.org/2016/01/20/463748438/transcript-nprs-interview-with-hillary-rodham-clinton> ] *Clinton: “As President, I'll Appoint Supreme Court Justices Who Recognize That Citizens United Is Bad For America. And If Necessary, I'll Fight For A Constitutional Amendment That Overturns It.” *“We can't let this continue. It's time to reclaim our democracy, reform our distorted campaign finance system and restore access to the ballot box in all 50 states. That starts with reversing Citizens United. And that's where my comprehensive plan to restore common sense to campaign finance begins. As president, I'll appoint Supreme Court justices who recognize that Citizens United is bad for America. And if necessary, I'll fight for a constitutional amendment that overturns it.” [Hillary Clinton, CNN, 1/21/16 <http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/21/opinions/hillary-clinton-citizens-united-more-democracy/index.html> ] *Hillary: “I Would Certainly Appoint People Who I Thought Would Reverse Citizens United, Because I Think It’s A Wrong Decision, Number One.”* QUESTION: “Thank you. You mentioned the Citizens United case, and the damaging effects of money in politics today. I was wondering about your specific ideas for fixing our current really broken campaign finance laws.” HILLARY CLINTON: “Yes. Well, I think the most important thing to do is to reverse Citizens United, and then I’ll get to anything else in a minute. (Applause.) And one of the most important set of decisions that the next president will have are Supreme Court appointments, right? (Applause.) And it’s possible that there may be two, some people think maybe three Supreme Court decisions. So I would certainly appoint people who I thought would reverse Citizens United, because I think it’s a wrong decision, number one. I think it’s not only wrong, it’s almost beyond belief, naive. Let’s give them credit for their decision. Let’s just posit that maybe they really believe that they can give a total open door to billionaires and corporations, and that somehow full disclosure will help to mitigate that. Well, it’s proven to be absolutely wrong.” [Remarks at Town Hall in Berlin, NH, 12/29/15] *Clinton: “I Would Appoint Supreme Court Justices Who Cared More About Protecting An Individual’s Right To Vote Than A Corporation’s Right To Buy An Election.” *“There are a couple ways that can happen. One of the real possibilities is the next president will pick between one and three Supreme Court justice appointments. (Applause.) That’s either good news or not, depending upon who wins. But certainly, from my perspective, I would appoint Supreme Court justices who cared more about protecting an individual’s right to vote than a corporation’s right to buy an election. (Applause.) And I think we have to be very, very strong on that.” [Des Moines Town Hall, 12/10/15] *Clinton: “I Will Be Interested In Appointing Justices Who Care More About Your Right To Vote Than A Billionaire’s Right To Buy An Election With Dark, Unaccountable Money.”* “I will also defend voting rights. I thought that debate was over in the 1960s, and here it is back again. (Applause.) And I have advocated that every 18-year-old be automatically registered to vote. (Applause.) I will also go after the Citizens United decision – (applause) – that is corrupting our politics. Now, I think the next president could get three appointments to the Supreme Court. I will be interested in appointing justices who care more about your right to vote than a billionaire’s right to buy an election with dark, unaccountable money. (Applause.) And I have said that if it takes a constitutional amendment, which unfortunately retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens says it will to try to reverse the pernicious effects of Citizens United, we are going to have to look at that, because we’ve got to get this back in balance.” [Remarks at Town Hall in Windham – NH, 11/9/15] *Clinton: “I Will Not Appoint Supreme Court Justices Who Are Going To Favor A Billionaire And A Corporate Interest Over An Individual’s Right To Vote And Be Heard. But If Those Supreme Court Justices Are Not Going To Reverse It […] Then I Want A Constitutional Amendment To Reverse It.” *“Now, you’ve got to get money back in the box because it’s got too loud a voice, and we’ve got to get Citizens United reversed. So I have said I will not appoint Supreme Court justices – because the next president may get three appointments, that many – I will not appoint Supreme Court justices who are going to favor a billionaire and a corporate interest over an individual’s right to vote and be heard. But if those Supreme Court justices are not going to reverse it because I don’t get those appointments, then I want a constitutional amendment to reverse it. I want to get a grassroots movement to change the Constitution to enable the Congress to begin once again to regulate the money in politics. So I am very focused on that.” [Remarks at Meeting with SEIU Local 1984, 10/5/15] *Hillary Clinton On Campaign Finance: “This Is A Critical Issue For Our Democracy, And I Would Certainly Not Knowingly Appoint Somebody Who Thought Citizens United Was A Good Decision.”* “And in the 2014 election, one third of the so-called independent funding that went into the campaigns on behalf of Republicans principally is totally unknowable, no disclosure requirements. We have no idea where that money came from and what they were trying to buy. So I feel this is a foundational issue. Our founders worried about it. The end of the 19th century when robber barons from the railroad or the coal or the oil and gas industry were literally handing paper bags of money to state legislators, it brought in a wave of reform. And I think the Supreme Court has been wrong since the Buckley case. I do not believe that it’s an appropriate finding that free speech is absolutely equivalent to giving money into campaigns, particularly when I think in Citizens United, the court either assumed or believed that the money would be disclosed. And it’s turned out that it hasn’t been. So this is a critical issue for our democracy, and I would certainly not knowingly appoint somebody who thought Citizens United was a good decision.” [Interview With Des Moines Register Editorial Board, 9/22/15] *Hillary Clinton Said “Yes” She Was Calling For A Litmus Test For Supreme Court Justices On Citizens United.* QUESTION: You talked about how there’s been this campaign against Roe v. Wade for more than 40 years, and one of the techniques was to say we’re only going to – for presidential candidates, say we’re only going to appoint judges, justices who would repeal or vote against Roe v. Wade, or to abolish it. A lot of critics of that said we shouldn’t be having litmus tests for Supreme Court justices, but isn’t that what you’re calling for on Citizens United? HILLARY CLINTON: Yes. [Interview With Des Moines Register Editorial Board, 9/22/15] *Hillary Clinton: “I Would Put Up People That Care More About Protecting A Person’s Right To Vote Than A Billionaire’s Right To Buy An Election.”* “I mean, you don’t have to call a litmus test. It’s just who they put up to be the nominees. And I would put up people that care more about protecting a person’s right to vote than a billionaire’s right to buy an election. And I don't know what’s more fundamental to the functioning of a democracy than an electoral system and the way it’s financed that people have confidence in and that they can trust is unbiased, not influenced by interests whose real motivations are not even disclosed. And in the 2014 election, one third of the so-called independent funding that went into the campaigns on behalf of Republicans principally is totally unknowable, no disclosure requirements. We have no idea where that money came from and what they were trying to buy.” [Interview With Des Moines Register Editorial Board, 9/22/15] *Clinton: “I Will Appoint Justices Who Will Protect Every Citizen’s Right To Vote Instead Of Every Corporation’s Right To Buy Elections.”* “And boy, Democrats believe – and we’re the only ones left who believe this – we have to stop the flow of secret, unaccountable money that distorts our elections and drowns out the voices of American voters. It’s predicted by some that our next president may have as many as three appointments to the Supreme Court. Now, if you weren’t convinced to vote for a Democrat before, I hope you are now. I will appoint justices who will protect every citizen’s right to vote instead of every corporation’s right to buy elections. And if necessary, I will work to pass a constitutional amendment to undo the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United.” [New Hampshire Democrat Party Sate Convention Remarks, 9/19/15] *Clinton: “We Need Justices On The Supreme Court Who Will Protect Every Citizen's Right To Vote Instead Of What They Have Been Doing, Protecting Every Corporation's Right To Buy Elections.” *“We’ve lived through this before. The Robber Barons of the late 19th Century handed public officials bags of cash. Now we have secret, unaccountable money that distorts our elections and drowns out the voices of everyday Americans. We need Justices on the Supreme Court who will protect every citizen's right to vote (cheers, applause) instead of what they have been doing, protecting every corporation's right to buy elections.” [DNC Summit Meeting Minneapolis, MN, 8/28/15] *Clinton: “We Need Justices On The Supreme Court Who Will Protect A Person’s Right To Vote More Than A Billionaire’s Right To Buy The Election, For Goodness Sake.” *“We need justices on the Supreme Court who will protect a person’s right to vote more than a billionaire’s right to buy the election, for goodness sake. (Applause.) And if necessary, we need to pass a constitutional amendment to undo Citizens United, one of the worst decisions ever made by the United States Supreme Court.” [Nevada State AFL-CIO 59th Constitutional Convention, 8/18/15] *Clinton:* *“I’m Going To Care Very Much More About Whether Any [Supreme Court] Nominee Of Mine Will Support The Fundamental Right To Vote, As Opposed To A Billionaire’s Right To Buy An Election.” *“And I’m going to care very much more about whether any nominee of mine will support the fundamental right to vote, as opposed to a billionaire’s right to buy an election. And I know that there will be challenges in our democracy dealing with Citizens United, which is why I’ve also gone further and said I would even consider, as Justice Stevens recommends, a constitutional amendment, if that’s what it would take.” [Interview with Howard Altschiller (Portsmouth Herald), 8/10/15] *Clinton: “I Will Work As Hard As I Can To Appoint Supreme Court Justices Who Will Reverse The Pernicious Effects Of Citizens United.” *“And then I will work as hard as I can to appoint Supreme Court justices who will reverse the pernicious effects of Citizens United. And try to get back to some public financing. And if necessary, champion a constitutional amendment to end Citizens United.” [AFL-CIO Press Avail, 7/30/15] *Clinton: “I Would Appoint Supreme Court Justices Who Understood That It's More Important To Protect A Person's Right To Vote Than A Corporation's Right To Influence The Election.” *“So number one I would appoint Supreme Court justices who understood that it's more important to protect a person's right to vote than a corporation's right to influence the election.” [Hillary Clinton interview with WMUR, 7/28/15] *Hilary Clinton Said She Would Not Appoint Supreme Court Justices Who Didn’t Agree That Citizens United “Is Corrupting And Corrosive To Our Democracy.”* “Now, I also will fight hard to reverse the pernicious effects of Citizens United. […] I would not appoint a justice to the Supreme Court who did not understand that that is corrupting and corrosive to our democracy.” [Iowa Third District Democrats Summer Wine Down, 7/25/15] *Clinton: “I Would Appoint Supreme Court Justices Who Don't Believe That Billionaires And Corporations Should Have The Same Rights As People, As Voters.” *“So I would appoint Supreme Court Justices who don't believe that billionaires and corporations should have the same rights as people, as voters. And if necessary we'd have a constitution amendment. That's not my preference but I feel so strongly about how corrupting this is that we're going to have to come up with some way to address it.” [Carroll, IA Organizing Event, 7/26/15] *Hillary: “I Would Appoint Justices To The Supreme Court Who Will Protect Every Citizen’s Right To Vote, Rather Than Every Corporation’s Right To Buy.” “*And that requires stopping the endless flow of secret, unaccountable money that is distorting our elections. (Applause.) As President, I would appoint Justices to the Supreme Court who will protect every citizen’s right to vote, rather than every corporation’s right to buy [elections]. (Applause.) (Obscured by audience) If necessary, I will support a constitutional amendment to undo the Supreme Court’s decision to [allow corporate and union money directly into politics] (Obscured by audience).” [Concord NH Launch Party Remarks, 6/15/15] *Hillary: “I Will Appoint Justices On The Supreme Court Who Will Protect Every Citizen’s Right To Vote.” *[Iowa Launch Party Remarks, 6/14/15] *Clinton: “I Will Do Everything I Can To Appoint Supreme Court Justices Who Will Protect The Right To Vote And Not The Right Of Billionaires To Buy Elections.” *“We also have to address the unaccountable dark money in politics. I think the Supreme Court made a grave error with its Citizens United decision. And I will do everything I can do to appoint Supreme Court Justices who will protect the right to vote and not the right of billionaires to buy elections.” [Mason City House Party, 5/18/15] *Clinton: “As A President I Would Be Appointing People Who Would Protect The Right To Vote And Not The Right Of Billionaires To Buy Elections.” *“I honestly believe the Citizens United is one of the worst named and worst decisions ever decided by the Supreme Court, as a President I would be appointing people who would protect the right to vote and not the right of billionaires to buy elections. And I don't believe that this Supreme Court understood what the consequences would be.” [Waterloo House Party, 5/18/15] *Hillary Clinton: “I Will Do Everything I Can To Appoint Supreme Court Justices” Who Would Overturn Citizens United.* “She has said she wants Supreme Court justices who would overturn the high court’s 2010 ruling in the Citizens United case, which gave rise to super PACs that could raise money in unlimited sums. ‘I will do everything I can to appoint Supreme Court justices who protect the right to vote and do not protect the right of billionaires to buy elections,’ Mrs. Clinton said Monday in a campaign trip to Iowa.” [WSJ, 5/20/15 <http://www.wsj.com/articles/money-woes-for-clinton-super-pac-1432168562>] *Hillary Clinton Pledged To Appoint Supreme Court Justices Who Would Rule Against Citizens United And Said She Would “Work For” A Constitutional Amendment Overturning It.* “Clinton said she's committed to reforming the political process, including by appointing Supreme Court justices who would rule against the kind of untraceable money that has flowed into the system since the Citizens United decision gave corporations more freedom to make donations. She said that if it takes a Constitutional amendment to change the situation, ‘I will work for that.’” [Des Moines Register, 5/18/15 <http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2015/05/18/hillary-clinton-second-trip-iowa/27551369/> ] *Hillary Clinton Made Opposition To Citizens United “A Litmus Test” For Supreme Court Nominees.* “Hillary Rodham Clinton said Monday that if elected president, she would make opposition to a Supreme Court ruling that cleared the way for unlimited political donations a litmus test for nominees to the high court. ‘I will do everything I can do to appoint Supreme Court justices who will protect the right to vote and not the right of billionaires to buy elections,’ Clinton told about 50 supporters at a house party in Iowa.” [Associated Press, 5/18/15 <http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/clinton-returns-iowa-rally-caucus-volunteers-31123588> ] *HEADLINE: Hillary Clinton’s Litmus Test For Supreme Court Nominees: A Pledge To Overturn Citizens United.* [Washington Post, 5/14/15 <http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/05/14/hillary-clintons-litmus-test-for-supreme-court-nominees-a-pledge-to-overturn-citizens-united/?postshare=2061431647221592> ] *Washington Post: Hillary Clinton Told Donors That If Elected, Her Supreme Court Nominees Would Have To “Share Her Belief” That Citizen’s United “Must Be Overturned*.” “Hillary Clinton told a group of her top fundraisers Thursday that if she is elected president, her nominees to the Supreme Court will have to share her belief that the court's 2010 Citizens United decision must be overturned, according to people who heard her remarks.” [Washington Post, 5/14/15 <http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/05/14/hillary-clintons-litmus-test-for-supreme-court-nominees-a-pledge-to-overturn-citizens-united/?postshare=2061431647221592> ] *Hillary On Money In Politics: If I Can Think Of Another Way Of Doing It, If I Get Enough Appointments As President And Put Different People On The Court, Maybe That Would Work. *“(Inaudible) after I said that for the first time in Iowa, you know, somebody reported, "Oh, constitutional amendment." Well, look, if I can think of another way of doing it, if I get enough appointments as president and put different people on the court, maybe that would work. But then John Paul Stevens, who just retired from the Court, thinks Citizens United is one of the worst decisions ever in the history of the Supreme Court, and he basically said the only way we're going to be able to do it is a constitutional amendment, and he proposes one. So yes, if there were another way of doing it, sign me up. But if there's not, we have to take back our political system.” [NHDP Meeting with Legislators, 4/21/15] REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS *Clinton: “The Fight Over Contraception Coverage Isn’t Even Over. The Court Is Going To Have Another Chance To Get It Right.”* “But I want you to just think for a moment what is at stake in the next year. Supreme Court will consider a Texas law that imposes burdensome and medically unnecessary restrictions, and it will decide whether Roe v. Wade can be further chipped away with all kinds of fancy language and regulatory schemes. If that law is allowed to stand, there would be just 10 health centers that offer abortions left in the entire state of Texas for 5.4 million women of reproductive age. And, of course, the effects are not going to stop in Texas. That will ripple across into so many other states. The Court will also review another challenge to the birth control benefit in the Affordable Care Act. Remember Hobby Lobby, which gave a woman’s boss the power to limit her health care choices? Well, the fight over contraception coverage isn’t even over. The Court is going to have another chance to get it right.” [Remarks at NARAL Roe v. Wade Dinner, 1/22/16] *Clinton On Reproductive Rights: “This Is Not A New Fight, But It Is Important For Us To Gird Ourselves For What Lies Ahead, Because The Actions In The States Are Not Going To Stop, And The Actions In A Republican Congress Are Not Going To Stop.”* “But imagine what will happen if a Republican, any one of those running, were to win this election. The next president will probably have somewhere between one and three Supreme Court appointments. Imagine the kind of justices they would appoint. Imagine what it would do not just to reproductive health but to so many concerns that really are at the heart of our economy and our democracy. Well, now, this is not a new fight, but it is important for us to gird ourselves for what lies ahead, because the actions in the states are not going to stop, and the actions in a Republican Congress are not going to stop. They did finally get a repeal of the Affordable Care Act and defunded Planned Parent. Thank goodness President Obama was there to veto – (applause).” [Remarks at NARAL Roe v. Wade Dinner, 1/22/16] *Clinton Criticized A Texas Law “That Imposes Burdensome And Medically Unnecessary Requirements On Abortion Providers” And Called It “The Biggest Challenge To Roe V. Wade In A Generation.” *“And think about this: The next president could easily appoint more than one justice to the Supreme Court. Already the Court is getting ready to consider a Texas law that imposes burdensome and medically unnecessary requirements on abortion providers. If these restrictions are allowed to stand, 5.4 million women will be left with just 10 health centers across that huge expanse of Texas that provide necessary services. And the effects of that decision would ripple out across our country. It’s the biggest challenge to Roe v. Wade in a generation.” [Remarks at Planned Parenthood Endorsement Event in New Hampshire, 1/10/16] *Clinton: “Access To Affordable Birth Control Is Still Hanging In The Balance At The Supreme Court.” *“The Court will also review another challenge to the Affordable Care Act’s birth control benefit. Remember the Hobby Lobby decision that made it possible for a woman’s employer to limit her health care choices? Well, that fight’s not over either. Access to affordable birth control is still hanging in the balance at the Supreme Court.” [Remarks at Planned Parenthood Endorsement Event in New Hampshire, 1/10/16] *Hillary Clinton On Republican Attempts To Appoint Pro-Life Judges: “Look, Even If It’s Not Stated Publicly, We Know That Republican Presidents Since Roe V. Wade Have Tried To Appoint Justices That Would Overturn Roe V. Wade.”* QUESTION: You talked about how there’s been this campaign against Roe v. Wade for more than 40 years, and one of the techniques was to say we’re only going to – for presidential candidates, say we’re only going to appoint judges, justices who would repeal or vote against Roe v. Wade, or to abolish it. A lot of critics of that said we shouldn’t be having litmus tests for Supreme Court justices, but isn’t that what you’re calling for on Citizens United? HILLARY CLINTON: Yes. QUESTION: I mean, is that right in one instance and wrong in the other? HILLARY CLINTON: Look, even if it’s not stated publicly, we know that Republican presidents since Roe v. Wade have tried to appoint justices that would overturn Roe v. Wade. QUESTION: Right. HILLARY CLINTON: I mean, you don’t have to call a litmus test. It’s just who they put up to be the nominees. And I would put up people that care more about protecting a person’s right to vote than a billionaire’s right to buy an election. And I don't know what’s more fundamental to the functioning of a democracy than an electoral system and the way it’s financed that people have confidence in and that they can trust is unbiased, not influenced by interests whose real motivations are not even disclosed. [Interview With Des Moines Register Editorial Board, 9/22/15] UNIONS *Clinton: “You’ve Got To Have Attractive Benefits So People Feel Like Being In The Union Is Something They Want To Do”. *PARTICIPANT: “What would you do other than Supreme Court nominations, appointments? What would you do if the (inaudible) case turns against us?” HILLARY CLINTON: “Well, I’m already starting to talk with your international (inaudible). If they fundamentally rule that people (inaudible) constitutional right (inaudible) that’s a problem. So how do we fight that? I’ll just say a couple of things (inaudible). First of all, I think the unions have to be (inaudible) to make membership (inaudible) so that you don’t lose members, and that (inaudible) some ideological members because they’re not (inaudible). But my view is – and I’ve told this to these guys – my view is let’s try to figure out how you make union (inaudible) union membership really attractive? So for example, if I were heading the teachers’ union in some start and the Friedrichs decision comes down, I would immediately say what are the benefits? Not health care, not things you bargain for, but what are the additional benefits that we can provide that will keep members? Maybe you run – maybe the union runs a preschool program or an afterschool program and you can’t be in it if you’re not a member. I mean, I just think we have to get creative and smart about it. And until we see the opinion I can’t tell you what laws we can try to change because I don’t know. I don’t know what the basis of the opinion will be, so I think it’s a multi-pronged approach. You’ve got to have attractive benefits so people feel like being in the union is something they want to do (inaudible), and then we have to look at the Department of Labor and what legislation and regulation can do in order to make it – to really ameliorate the impact of it. That’s all I can tell you right now.” [Remarks at Meeting with SEIU Local 1984, 10/5/15] MARRIAGE EQUALITY *Clinton: “The Next President May Get Three Supreme Court Justice Appointments. We Could Lose The Supreme Court And There Could Be A Whole New Litigation Strategy Coming From Those Who Oppose Marriage Equality.” *“The stakes in this election are high for the country. They're high for so much of what we believe in and the progress we want to continue to make. It can be undone. President Obama’s executive actions can be rescinded. The next President may get three Supreme Court justice appointments. We could lose the Supreme Court and there could be a whole new litigation strategy coming from those who oppose marriage equality. We have got to stay focused, stay united. You deserve a President who will bring people together – who won’t leave anyone behind. That is what I will do, because I know from my own personal experience, the folks on the other side—you have got to give them credit—they never quit. Their persistence is admirable although it is hard to believe what they use it for.” [Remarks at Human Rights Campaign Breakfast, 10/3/15] NOMINATIONS Progressive Judges/Progressive Movement *Asked If She Would Appoint A Black Woman To The Supreme Court, Clinton Said “I’ll Certainly Consider People Who Have The Energy And The Intellect And The Experience”. *“MODERATOR: Last question for me. Black women, stand up. Black women. Secretary Clinton, if you become president of the United States and you got to appoint somebody to the Supreme Court, will you put a black woman on the Supreme Court? HILLARY CLINTON: Do we have some candidates here? Yeah. Yeah. Well, I’ll certainly consider. I’ll certainly consider people who have the energy and the intellect and the experience to be on the Supreme Court. And probably on the younger side because I want them to be there a long time.” [Remarks at Town Hall in Orangeburg, SC, 11/7/15] *Clinton: “What This Court Has Done Is Not Just To Turn The Clock Back On The Great Advances That Were Made In The 20th Century. Honestly, I Fear They’re Going Back To The 19th Century.” *AL SHARPTON: The fact that Supreme Court is looking at labor laws, and labor rights, and Affirmative Action, and women’s rights, and voting rights, it’s frightening to people like me. And there’s a lot at stake in this election. Yet we see the impediments – 15 states have new voting laws. I mean, how do we communicate to people the gravity of this election, and what’s at stake, because they may have to stand in line seven, eight hours, like they did in the last presidential election? What are you going to say that will inspire people that, no matter how difficult it is, this is a real time in American history they have to vote? HILLARY CLINTON: Boy, do I agree with that. There are a lot of reasons why people have to vote in this election. But the Supreme Court is one that is right at the top. What this court has done is not just to turn the clock back on the great advances that were made in the 20th century. Honestly, I fear they’re going back to the 19th century. [Interview with Al Sharpton, 2/9/16] *Clinton Said The Supreme Court Substitutes “Their Judgment For The Congress, Signed By George W. Bush. That Is One Of Our Problems.”* “I'm looking for people who understand the way the real world works, who don't have a kneejerk reaction to support business, to support the idea that you know money is speech, that gutted the Voting Rights Act. I voted for the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act when I was in the Senate. It passed 98 to nothing based on a very extensive set of hearings and research. Supreme Court comes along. They substitute their judgment for the Congress, signed by George W. Bush. That is one of our problems. They have a view that I just fundamentally disagree with about what the way we have to keep the balance of power in our society is.” [CNN Town Hall, transcript via CNN, 2/3/16 <http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/03/politics/democratic-town-hall-transcript/>] *Clinton: “I'm Looking For People Who Are Rooted In The Real World, Who Know That Part Of The Genius Of Our System, Both Economic And Government, Is This Balance Of Power.”* “And here's how I think about it, because when I was a senator, I had to vote on Supreme Court justices. I'm looking for people who are rooted in the real world, who know that part of the genius of our system, both economic and government, is this balance of power. If it gets too far out of whack, so that business has too much power, any branch of the government has too much power, the delicate balance that makes up our political system and the broad-based prosperity we should be working for in our economy is the worse off for it. So I have very strong feelings about what I'll be looking for if I am given the honor of appointing somebody to the Supreme Court.” [CNN Town Hall, transcript via CNN, 2/3/16 <http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/03/politics/democratic-town-hall-transcript/>] *Clinton: “Close Elections Matter. You Either Win Or You Lose. It’s A Little Bit Different When You Get Selected By The Supreme Court.”* “So in came a Republican president, and don’t ever forget: close elections matter. You either win or you lose. It’s a little bit different when you get selected by the Supreme Court, but never the less, George W. Bush became President and immediately began to dismantle everything that had been done. Cut taxes on the wealthy. Get out of the way of corporations. Take your eyes off of Wall Street, the mortgage markets. And we know what happened because we lived through it.” [GOTV Rally in Nashua, NH, 2/2/16] *Clinton: “I Think The Supreme Court Has Really, Unfortunately, Been Heading In The Wrong Direction, And We Need – We Need Real Justices Who Will Actually Understand The Challenges We Face.”* “I think the Supreme Court has really, unfortunately, been heading in the wrong direction, and we need – we need real justices who will actually understand the challenges we face. I can't tell whether it's just naivete or it's just ideological, theoretical views. But after we passed the Voting Rights Act Reauthorization 98 to nothing in the Senate and George W. Bush signed it – and then, of course, if was a, you know, challenge to take it to the Supreme Court. And the court wiped out Section 5 and said, ‘Oh, we don't need this anymore. There's no problem.’ Well, that was like a big welcome sign to states to try to suppress the vote, which they've been doing as quickly as they can figure out new strategies to do it. And Citizens United, which I so fundamentally disagree with, the idea of creating money with speech and so favoring corporations and billionaires is just beyond any understanding of way our democracy is supposed to work. So, we need to (inaudible). (Applause.) So, I got to tell you, this is – I mean, this is sort of timely because you've got three sets of billionaires now running ads against me, which, of course, I take as perversely flattering. They know – they understand they don't want to run against me, and they sure don't want me to be their president because they know I mean what I say; I do what I say; and I know how to get it done. (Applause.) I will certainly take that under advisement. I mean, he's brilliant, and he – he can set forth an argument, and he was a law professor, so he's got all the credentials. Now, we do have to get a Democratic senate to get him confirmed, so (inaudible), okay?” [Decorah, IA Organizing Event, 1/26/16] *Hillary Said “No Matter What You Care About” The Presidential Election Is Important For The Supreme Court. *“That’s why it’s also important the next president may get as many as three Supreme Court appointments. No matter what you care about – women’s rights, gay rights, voting rights, workers’ rights – I know I’ve got friends from AFSCME here.” [Clinton Remarks at Organizing Event in Ames, IA, 1/12/16] *Hillary: “For Decades, Courts Have Said That, Because All Public Employees Enjoy The Benefits That Unions Negotiate, It’s Only Fair That All Employees Contribute To The Cost Of Securing Those Benefits.”* “Take organized labor. On Monday, the court hears oral arguments in Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association. For decades, courts have said that, because all public employees enjoy the benefits that unions negotiate, it’s only fair that all employees contribute to the cost of securing those benefits. If the Supreme Court reverses that precedent, it’ll be harder for working people like teachers, social workers, and first responders to negotiate together for better wages and benefits.” [Hillary Clinton, Boston Globe, 1/8/16 <http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2016/01/08/make-break-moment-for-supreme-court-appointments/ULPa9x5VEUjqfeTn8rCpdN/story.html> ] *Hillary: “The Courts Are Increasingly The Last Line Of Defense For Those Of Us Who Believe That Women Should Control Our Own Health Decisions.”* “Take abortion rights. In March, the court will look at a Texas law that imposes needless and burdensome requirements on doctors who perform abortions. If the law is allowed to stand, there will be an estimated 10 health centers left in Texas — a state with 5.4 million women of reproductive age — where women can get safe, legal abortions. As more state legislatures limit access to abortion, with 230 separate restrictions passed since 2011 alone, the courts are increasingly the last line of defense for those of us who believe that women should control our own health decisions.” [Hillary Clinton, Boston Globe, 1/8/16 <http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2016/01/08/make-break-moment-for-supreme-court-appointments/ULPa9x5VEUjqfeTn8rCpdN/story.html> ] *Hillary Said The Supreme Court Is “Weighing Whether To Change The Simple, Fundamental Principle Of ‘One Person, One Vote.’”* “Take voting rights. Last month, the court heard a case concerning how states draw electoral maps. Now it’s weighing whether to change the simple, fundamental principle of ‘one person, one vote.’ Its decision will determine whether some or all of us count in our elections.” [Hillary Clinton, Boston Globe, 1/8/16 <http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2016/01/08/make-break-moment-for-supreme-court-appointments/ULPa9x5VEUjqfeTn8rCpdN/story.html> ] *Hillary Said Affirmative Action Has “Honored The Central Premise Of Brown V. Board Of Education, That Minorities Must Not Be Excluded From American Public Life Or Institutions.”* “Or take affirmative action. Last month, the court heard a case about whether the University of Texas can take race into account, among other factors, when determining the composition of its student body. The court has long recognized the value of racial diversity in higher education, as have our military leaders, business leaders, and educators. It has also honored the central premise of Brown v. Board of Education, that minorities must not be excluded from American public life or institutions. This case will help determine whether that principle endures.” [Hillary Clinton, Boston Globe, 1/8/16 <http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2016/01/08/make-break-moment-for-supreme-court-appointments/ULPa9x5VEUjqfeTn8rCpdN/story.html> ] *Hillary Said If The Supreme Court Decides That President Obama’s Executive Actions On Immigrations Are Legal, “Millions Of Families Will Rest A Little Easier.”* “The court is now deciding whether to hear a lawsuit about President Obama’s executive actions on immigration. If it decides — and it should — that his actions are legal, millions of families will rest a little easier, knowing that despite Congress’s inability to pass comprehensive immigration reform, the progress made under President Obama will be protected.” [Hillary Clinton, Boston Globe, 1/8/16 <http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2016/01/08/make-break-moment-for-supreme-court-appointments/ULPa9x5VEUjqfeTn8rCpdN/story.html> ] *Hillary Said The Outcomes Of Lawsuits To Overturn President Obama’s Clean Power Plan “Will Have A Significant Impact On Our Ability To Tackle Climate Change And Reduce Carbon Pollution.”* “Meanwhile, 26 state attorneys general have sued to overturn Obama’s clean-power plan. Those lawsuits are working their way through the courts now, and their outcome will have a significant impact on our ability to tackle climate change and reduce carbon pollution.” [Hillary Clinton, Boston Globe, 1/8/16 <http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2016/01/08/make-break-moment-for-supreme-court-appointments/ULPa9x5VEUjqfeTn8rCpdN/story.html> ] *Hillary: “In A Single Term, Conservative Justices Could Undermine Virtually Every Pillar Of The Progressive Movement.”* “The stakes are clear. In a single term, conservative justices could undermine virtually every pillar of the progressive movement. Imagine what they will do in the future if the court becomes even more conservative. Those who care about the fairness of elections, the future of unions, racial disparities in universities, the rights of women, or the future of our planet, should care about who appoints the next justices. After years of accusing liberals of judicial activism, conservatives are wholeheartedly relying on Republican-appointed judges to undo progressive achievements. They’re using radical legal strategies to accomplish through the courts what they’ve failed to do through legislation, like dismembering the Voting Rights Act or attacking unions. A Republican president would support those efforts. I will oppose them.” [Hillary Clinton, Boston Globe, 1/8/16 <http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2016/01/08/make-break-moment-for-supreme-court-appointments/ULPa9x5VEUjqfeTn8rCpdN/story.html> ] *Hillary Said The Supreme Court Can “Make America A Fairer Place, Or Roll Back The Progress We’ve Worked So Hard To Achieve.”* “I remember the day last June when the Supreme Court declared marriage equality the law of the land. Same-sex couples, some of whom had been together for decades, stood on the court steps cheering and weeping and thanking God that this day had finally come. It was as clear a reminder as any of what the court can do: stand for equality, or against it; make America a fairer place, or roll back the progress we’ve worked so hard to achieve. It depends on what the Court decides. It depends on who is deciding. Which, in the end, means it depends on all of us.” [Hillary Clinton, Boston Globe, 1/8/16 <http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2016/01/08/make-break-moment-for-supreme-court-appointments/ULPa9x5VEUjqfeTn8rCpdN/story.html> ] *Hillary: “There’s A Lot At Stake In This Election. Nowhere Is This Clearer Than In The US Supreme Court.”* “There’s a lot at stake in this election. Nowhere is this clearer than in the US Supreme Court. The court’s decisions have a profound impact on American families. In the past two decades alone, it effectively declared George W. Bush president, significantly weakened the Voting Rights Act, and opened the door to a flood of unaccountable money in our politics. It also made same-sex marriage legal nationwide, preserved the Affordable Care Act not once but twice, and ensured equal access to education for women.” [Hillary Clinton, Boston Globe, 1/8/16 <http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2016/01/08/make-break-moment-for-supreme-court-appointments/ULPa9x5VEUjqfeTn8rCpdN/story.html> ] *Hillary Said She Would “Appoint Justices Who Will Protect The Constitutional Principles Of Liberty And Equality For All, Regardless Of Race, Gender, Sexual Orientation Or Political Viewpoint…”* “Agree or disagree with them — and most of us have done both over the years — there’s no question that who sits on the court matters a great deal. On Election Day, three of the current justices will be over 80 years old, which is past the court’s average retirement age. The next president could easily appoint more than one justice. That makes this a make-or-break moment — for the court and our country. As president (and a lawyer and former law professor), I’ll appoint justices who will protect the constitutional principles of liberty and equality for all, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation or political viewpoint; make sure the scales of justice aren’t tipped away from individuals toward corporations and special interests; and protect citizens’ right to vote, rather than billionaires’ right to buy elections.” [Hillary Clinton, Boston Globe, 1/8/16 <http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2016/01/08/make-break-moment-for-supreme-court-appointments/ULPa9x5VEUjqfeTn8rCpdN/story.html> ] *Clinton: “I’m Really Glad My Husband Appointed Ruth Bader Ginsberg” *[HRC:] “My idea for Supreme Court nominees. Thank you for that. Well, I’m really glad my husband appointed Ruth Bader Ginsberg. And, you know, Justice Breyer. And I’m really glad that the appointments by President Obama were Justices Sotomayor and Kagan. So those are the kind of people I’d like to appoint.” [Glen, NH Organizing Event, 7/4/15] *Clinton: “There’s No More Important Decision […] Than Who You Appoint To The Supreme Court.” *“You know, it’s funny, because probably there’s no more important decision—there are a lot of important decisions, but nothing more important—than who you appoint to the Supreme Court. And yet it is so rarely in the political debate. And, occasionally, I will be asked that question, and obviously I am always happy that I am.” [Glen, NH Organizing Event, 7/4/15] *Clinton: “The Next President May Have Three, Even Four Appointments” *“Because there is a theory that, some are saying, that the next President may have three, even four appointments. Which will set the court for much of the first half of the century. Certainly for your child’s lifetime. And, you know, I’m hoping that some of the issues that we’ve seen at least 5-4 decisions on will continue. But 5-4 is a very small majority. And therefore, if one of those justices in that five is no longer able to serve, then we have to move quickly to get somebody confirmed who will bring what I view as an open mind and an open heart.” [Glen, NH Organizing Event, 7/4/15] *Clinton: “I’m Looking For People Who Are Experienced In Life As Well As In The Law” *“I think that, you know, Justice Roberts’ decision in the Affordable Care Act really was influenced by the amicus briefs. And I was glad to see that, because that at least meant that he was open to the arguments that were coming from economists and hospitals and nurses and doctors and nurses and others who were saying, you know, ‘Please don’t undo this system. It’s not perfect, but it’s all that we’ve got.’ So I’m looking for people who are experienced in life as well as in the law. Who can put themselves in somebody else’s shoes. Who can imagine, and empathize, with what it must be to be in love with someone you can’t marry. Or to be denied healthcare when you can barely afford to pay your rent. So I want people who are like that. And I think if you get people like that—I may not, I will say, I will certainly probably not agree with every decision that they’re part of a majority in. But I will have more confidence that they are doing what should be done through the Supreme Court. Which is trying to look at the law, look at the Constitution, and then figure out what the real-life impact of those decisions will be.” [Glen, NH Organizing Event, 7/4/15] *Campaign Aide Said Clinton Will Speak In The Coming Weeks About The Importance Of Electing A President Who Can Nominate Progressive Supreme Court Justices. *“Clinton is also expected to speak in the coming weeks about the importance of electing a president who can nominate progressive Supreme Court justices, a campaign aide said. This week’s court rulings — on Obamacare, fair housing and same-sex marriage — highlight how galvanizing a political issue the appointments of justices can be, and the Clinton camp is eager to seize the moment.” [Politico, 6/26/15 <http://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/hillary-clinton-lgbt-fairfax-virginia-rally-119494.html#ixzz3eFVTekSs> ] Republicans *Clinton: “I Want Voters In New Hampshire To Understand We Cannot Turn Over The White House, The Supreme Court, The Future Of Health Care, The Economy […] To The Republicans.” *“But the stakes are high. I want voters in New Hampshire to understand we cannot turn over the White House, the Supreme Court, the future of health care, the economy back to trickle-down economics, to the Republicans. That has to be the goal.” [Interview with Janet Wu of WCBV, 2/2/16] *Clinton Said We Can’t Let Republicans Bring Back Trickle-Down, Repeal ACA Or “Stack The Supreme Court”. *“I do think that we have an obligation to keep people focused on what’s at stake in this election, and you got close to saying it, Chris. We can’t let the Republicans rip away the progress we’ve made. We can’t let them go back to trickle-down economics, repeal the Affordable Care Act. We can’t let them stack the Supreme Court for another generation against commonsense kind of changes that need.” [Interview with Chris Matthews, 2/2/16] *Clinton: “If A Republican Wins This Election And Gets The Chance To Stack The Supreme Court With Right-Wing Justices, Together They Will Accelerate The Move To Take America In The Wrong Direction”. *“Now if a Republican wins this election and gets the chance to stack the Supreme Court with right-wing justices, together they will accelerate the move to take America in the wrong direction on so many issues that you and I have fought for and that many Americans now take for granted.” [Remarks at Planned Parenthood Endorsement Event in New Hampshire, 1/10/16] *Hillary Said Republicans See The Election “As An Opportunity To Pack The Courts With Jurists Who Will Turn Back The Clock.”* “Republicans running for president have a different view. They see this election as an opportunity to pack the courts with jurists who will turn back the clock. Marco Rubio says he wants ‘more Scalias’ on the Court — justices who would rule against marriage equality and roll back a woman’s right to choose. Ted Cruz says his judges will be “rock-ribbed conservatives.” Chris Christie says that if the court were filled with his type of judge, they would have ruled against the Affordable Care Act and marriage equality. The difference between their view and mine is significant. And the implications are vast. In fact, the cases on the court’s docket this year go straight to the heart of the progressive agenda.” [Hillary Clinton, Boston Globe, 1/8/16 <http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2016/01/08/make-break-moment-for-supreme-court-appointments/ULPa9x5VEUjqfeTn8rCpdN/story.html> ] President Obama *Clinton Was Asked About Obama As A Supreme Court Nominee, Said It’s A “Fascinating Idea” And She Would “Certainly Talk To Him About It.”* “Well, I have no idea that he'd ever be interested, but it was a fascinating idea and if I'm so fortunate enough to be president and get the opportunity to fill a Supreme Court vacancy, which I hope I do, then I would certainly talk to him about it. I think he has other plans for his future, but hey, it would be worth the effort. We know he's a brilliant writer, he taught constitutional law, so I think it's worth a try!” [Clinton Interview with Wolf Blitzer, 1/28/16] *When Asked If She Would Consider Appointing President Obama As A Supreme Court justice, Clinton Said “It’s A Great Idea.”* “QUESTION: The next president will probably appoint several members of the Supreme Court. Would you consider appointing Obama? HILLARY CLINTON: Wow, what a great idea. No one has ever suggested that to me. Wow. (Inaudible.) Wow. (Applause) He may have a few other things to do, but I'll tell you, it's a great idea. And, you know, it is true, the next president may get anywhere from one to three Supreme Court appointments.” [Decorah, IA Organizing Event, 1/26/16]