Earlier this month, pro-choice Democratic Arizona Senator Krysten Sinema voted to confirm Judge Michael Liburdi, one of President Trump’s pro-life judicial nominees, for the U.S. District Court of Arizona. Sen. Sinema recently joined the senate this election cycle after a close race against Republican pro-life competitor, Martha McSally who was later appointed to John McCain’s former seat.
In response to her vote to confirm Judge Michael Liburdi, Sinema commented that:
“Mike and I do not share all the same political beliefs, but I believe the role of the Senate is to evaluate every nominee based on whether he or she is professionally qualified… and can be trusted to faithfully interpret and uphold the law.”
Sinema’s confirmation of this pro-life judge caused uproar in the pro-choice community, specifically with abortion advocacy group NARAL, who publicly criticized her.
In addition, NARAL insinuated that Sinema was only elected due to women voters who “wanted to put a check on this anti-choice administration.”
The abortion advocacy group considers Sinema as a hypocrite, saying,
“You can’t claim you are an advocate of women while elevating right-wing judges who will inflict long-term damage to our cause.”
This was not the only time Sinema sided with the Trump administration by voting for a pro-life Republican nominee. President Trump appointed William Barr as Attorney General, a pro-life attorney who said he does “not believe [the right to privacy] extends to abortion” and Roe v. Wade was “wrongly decided.” Sinema seems to be more open-minded than other abortion-choice advocates.
NARAL is right about one thing: the appointment of pro-life judges is a big high note in the fight for life. But, instead of shaming and condemning a government official who sides with the pro-life movement, they should be happy the country is finding unity and that a pro-choice politician is able to put personal politics aside in selecting qualified judicial officers—unifying the government, not just between pro-life and pro-choice, but also between Democrat and Republican.
Senator Sinema’s support of these pro-life politicians did not change her opinion of abortion, as she later voted against the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, leaving many to wonder if Sinema will hurt or help the pro-life community.
