02.08.2019 / Press Release

America’s Families Deserve Better than Chad Readler

Washington, D.C. – Families USA executive director Frederick Isasi released the following statement regarding the upcoming Senate vote on Chad Readler’s nomination to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals:

“President Trump’s nomination of Chad Readler to a Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals judgeship — a lifetime appointment — is deeply concerning and highly partisan. During his tenure as the Acting Assistant Attorney General in the Justice Department’s Civil Division, rather than defend the laws of the land, as was his constitutional duty, Readler instead used his role to launch a new effort to dismantle the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by filing a brief declaring law of the land unconstitutional.

“The position in that brief was upheld last December by a federal judge in Texas v. United States. The lawsuit threatens not only access to health care for an estimated 50 million people, but quality of coverage and important financial protections for families across the nation.

Besides that, his legal reasoning is unsound and brings into serious question his ability to understand and interpret laws.

“Readler’s legal ineptitude coupled with the blatant hostility he has displayed toward a law that is intended to protect the well-being of individuals by ensuring they have access to quality, affordable health care should not be ignored, excused or forgotten. Simply stated, Chad Readler has not demonstrated the knowledge or impartiality central to being a judge and is not fit for confirmation.

“America’s families deserve better than Chad Readler. We ask the Senate to vote for the best interests of health care consumers across America, especially the 50 million people who can least afford to lose access to health care. The Senate must vote for the people, for families. And like we’ve said before, we will be watching. America will be watching.”