Collins, Murkowski to play pivotal role in Supreme Court abortion battle

[DonViejo]

BY JORDAIN CARNEY - 06/28/18 07:19 PM EDT

The high-stakes abortion battle looming over President Trump’s 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 they’ve 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 Trump’s nominee — a major win in an election year — they’ll 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 Trump’s 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.

more
http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/394742-collins-murkowski-to-play-pivotal-role-in-supreme-court-abortion-battle

[comradebillyboy]

1. They will do what Mitch tells them to do.

[no_hypocrisy]

4. Which is Gospel.

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.

[vi5]

2. HA!

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]

3. No they won't. They'll do as they're told or face defeat from their sociopathic voters. nt

[mfcorey1]

5. Throw Manchin in there and you have three unreliables. Please do not add Collins! She

plays a game that we are aware of from her last performances.

[Trust Buster]

6. There will be ZERO Republican defections on this issue. Republicans have swallowed their pride

Defending the Con Man for one man reason - Control of the Supreme Court.

[Calista241]

7. No defections for the Repubs.

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]

8. Not really. They will fall right in line and do as they're told. I'm more concerned

about Dems who will cross over vote with them .

[onecaliberal]

10. Same Dems who voted for gorsuck.

[Autumn]

11. Yep. What would we do without them

[Drahthaardogs]

9. They will fold like cheap shirts.

Count on it.