News

Maine governor, congressional delegation weigh in on draft Roe v. Wade opinion


AUGUSTA, Maine (WGAN) Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins raised concerns over a leaked draft of a Supreme Court decision that would overturn Roe v. Wade.

The Senator’s statement on Tuesday morning came after the leaked draft was published by Politico on Monday. She said that “If this leaked draft opinion is the final decision and this reporting is accurate, it would be completely inconsistent with what Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh said in their hearings and in our meetings in my office.”

Late Tuesday morning, Chief Justice Roberts confirmed the draft’s authenticity, but said it did not represent the court’s final decision or final position.

Collins was a key swing vote in the confirmations of Justice Neil Gorsuch and Justice Brett Kavanaugh. During their confirmation hearings, Kavanaugh pointed to 45 years of precedent when asked about Roe v. Wade. Similarly, Gorsuch said that the decision “has been reaffirmed many times.”

Independent Sen. Angus King also issued a statement, saying: “A potential ruling that ends abortion protections would be appalling, but also firmly aligned with the clear long-term goals of conservative legal leaders; in fact, former President Trump explicitly stated he would only nominate justices who would ‘automatically’ overturn Roe. While we do not yet know the final ruling, Congress must be prepared to take legislative action to enshrine Roe into law.”

Also on Tuesday, Maine Gov. Janet Mills released a statement in response to the report, saying that “as long as I am Governor, I will fight with everything I have to protect reproductive rights and to preserve access to reproductive health care in the face of every and any threat to it – whether from politicians in Augusta or Supreme Court Justices in Washington.”

Meanwhile, former Gov. Paul LePage, who seeks to retake the Blaine House in November, said that “Maine state law already prohibits abortion after viability and our laws should keep pace with modern, medical technology.”

Latest Headlines

42 minutes ago in Local

What to Know About Maine U.S. Senate Race

Fresh

Democrats are hoping to unseat Republican Susan Collins.

10 hours ago in Local

Drought Gets Worse Across Maine Impacting Drinking Water

Drought conditions across the state have worsened over the past week.

10 hours ago in Local

Maine Housing Market Becoming More Buyer Friendly

Sellers and buyers are on more equal footing for negotiating their home purchase.

11 hours ago in Local

3 face drug charges after raids in New Gloucester, Lewiston

A month-long investigation into drug trafficking in New Gloucester and Lewiston led to three arrests on Wednesday.

11 hours ago in Local

Man accused in high-speed pursuit in Kennebec County arrested after crashing into construction zone

Police say a man led them on a high-speed chase in Clinton before crashing in a construction zone on Tuesday.