In an interview with Maine television station WGME about Alabama’s anti-abortion law, which essentially bans abortion and includes no exceptions for rape or incest, Sen. Susan Collins remarked: “I’m not sure exactly why we’re seeing this happen, but most of the laws are not as extreme as Alabama’s. Alabama seems to have gone further than any other state.”
Really, Senator Collins? You’re “not sure why we’re seeing this happen”?
Let’s go back to last fall when you voted to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Anti-abortion groups rejoiced. (Feminists commiserated from the moment he was nominated.)
“We trust that this will serve all Americans well,” Americans United for Life said, “when Roe v. Wade inevitably comes before the Supreme Court for review.” March for Life echoed the sentiment. “The Supreme Court plays a critical role in pro-life policy and has for decades,” it observed. “We look forward to Justice Kavanaugh’s tenure on the bench […]”
It’s not surprising to see that Republican-led state legislatures are now following through on their promises to restrict women’s rights and bring a challenge to Roe v. Wade to the Supreme Court. “This is a very important piece of legislation,” Alabama state Senator Clyde Chambliss (R) said of the recent bill in his state. “It is a direct plan to challenge Roe v. Wade in the Supreme Court.”
Alabama isn’t the only state that’s passing legislation to limit or block women’s reproductive freedom. Seven other states have passed extreme anti-abortion bills this year: Ohio, Georgia, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kentucky, Utah and Missouri. All were passed with the hopes that they would be legally challenged for their unconstitutionality and the challenges will be brought to the Supreme Court.
Despite Collins’ ignorant comments about why states are passing strict anti-choice legislation, one thing is clear: she cannot be counted on to protect women’s rights. The people of Maine deserve a Senator who is fully committed to protecting a woman’s right to choose and whose voting record on legislation and judicial appointments reflects strong pro-choice principles.
Senator Collins, EMILY’s List has you On Notice.
