“From reproductive choice to family leave to basic fairness, Judge Samuel A. Alito’s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee has done more to deepen than to alleviate our concerns. This is a nominee far outside the mainstream, who has refused to distance himself from his troubling record or to give any meaningful assurances that he will protect women’s rights, civil rights and our right to privacy on the Court.

Especially troubling to us has been Judge Alito’s repeated assertions — which are at odds with the legislative history — that the Family & Medical Leave Act contained no evidence of sex discrimination in state medical leave practices. That is simply wrong, and it is a troubling indication that, on the Supreme Court, Alito would vote to deny millions of Americans their rights under the FMLA.

Judge Alito has done nothing at these hearings to distance himself from his past inflammatory statements that the constitution does not protect a woman’s right to make her own reproductive choices.

It is also disturbing that Judge Alito continues to defend his opinions — many of which did not prevail — that would deny a day in court to plaintiffs in civil rights, women’s rights and employment discrimination cases.

For women, minorities, seniors, people with disabilities, and for working Americans, confirmation of Judge Alito is a risk the nation simply cannot afford to take. We urge every Senator to put aside partisan considerations and do what is right for their constituents and the country: Vote no to confirmation of Judge Samuel Alito.”