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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCollins, Murkowski to play pivotal role in Supreme Court abortion battle
BY JORDAIN CARNEY - 06/28/18 07:19 PM EDT
The high-stakes abortion battle looming over President Trumps next Supreme Court pick will likely be decided by two GOP senators: Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
The two women are viewed as potential swing votes because theyve made a series of high-profile breaks with their party over healthcare -- voting against an ObamaCare repeal measure, a bill allowing states to deny Planned Parenthood federal family planning funding and legislation that would have banned abortion after 20 weeks.
For Democrats to be able to sink Trumps nominee a major win in an election year theyll need to win over at least one GOP senator.
Republicans nixed the 60-vote filibuster for Supreme Court nominees, meaning they can be confirmed with a simple majority. With a 51-seat majority and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) absent, Republicans have to keep their caucus united or pick up red state Democrats if they want to get Trumps pick confirmed.
Collins and Murkowski are already facing mounting pressure from both sides. So far, they have stopped short of taking firm positions on whether they would oppose a nominee viewed as anti-abortion or likely to overturn or chip away at Roe v. Wade.
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http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/394742-collins-murkowski-to-play-pivotal-role-in-supreme-court-abortion-battle
comradebillyboy
(10,193 posts)no_hypocrisy
(46,329 posts)There is a joker republican senatorial candidate in NJ who has TV spots claiming he's "independent," "pro choice," "pro gay rights", another kind of Republican, etc.
Either he's lying or disingenuous. If elected, he will vote how Mitch tells him to vote.
It's comical that anyone with working eyes, ears, and memory would think these two are facing any personal struggle other than how long to wait before they announce they are supporting whoever Trump's nominee is.
Guy Whitey Corngood
(26,514 posts)mfcorey1
(11,001 posts)plays a game that we are aware of from her last performances.
Trust Buster
(7,299 posts)Defending the Con Man for one man reason - Control of the Supreme Court.
Calista241
(5,586 posts)This is the most consequential vote they will ever take during their time in the US Senate. I can't imagine them declining to support the party in a moment like this.
My concern is that we'll have defections over to support whatever douchebag Trump sees fit to nominate.
Autumn
(45,120 posts)about Dems who will cross over vote with them .
onecaliberal
(33,016 posts)Autumn
(45,120 posts)Drahthaardogs
(6,843 posts)Count on it.