In light of Donald Trump s nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States, this is a plea to the principled and moderate Republican and Democratic members of the United States Senate. Senators such as Susan Collins (R-Maine), Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) must act courageously and wisely at this critical moment in our nations history to preserve the integrity and credibility of our Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court is essential to our constitutional system. It must stand as a politically neutral body that faithfully and independently interprets and applies our Constitution. As James Madison observed at the very founding of our nation, independent tribunals of justice are the guardians of our Constitution, and they must be an impenetrable bulwark that will resist every encroachment upon the fundamental norms of our democracy.