Maine’s politicians reacted to the leaked draft abortion decision. Here is a round up:
US Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican:
“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.
“Obviously, we won’t know each Justice’s decision and reasoning until the Supreme Court officially announces its opinion in this case.”
US Sen. Angus King, an independent:
“If accurate, the draft Supreme Court ruling circulated last night would be a dangerous, seismic shift in which the Court overturns half a century of established precedent and overrides the most basic, private rights of half the nation.
“The decision being considered in this preliminary draft would eliminate a longstanding fundamental right supported by 64 percent of Maine people and 70 percent of Americans in one fell swoop. The result: millions of women would be robbed of the right to make vital, lifesaving healthcare decisions with the support of medical professionals.
“I’m also deeply worried that this draft opinion could invite challenges to other longstanding precedents, including marriage rights for same-sex or interracial couples. 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.”
Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat:
“There are countless women across Maine and America who are worried right now — worried that their right to a safe and legal abortion is near its end; worried about what that uncertainty could mean for their health, their lives, and their futures; and worried about what this draft decision says about the values of our nation and their place in it.
“Well, I want to be very clear: unlike an apparent majority of the Supreme Court, I do not consider the rights of women to be dispensable. And I pledge 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.”
Former Gov. Paul LePage, a Republican running against Mills:
“As the child of a severely dysfunctional family, with domestic abuse that left me homeless, I know my mother faced difficult decisions and I am glad she chose life. The federal government has regularly prohibited taxpayer abortion funding, except in cases of rape, incest or when the mother’s life is in danger; and I have supported that policy and would continue to do so.
“Maine state law already prohibits abortion after viability and our laws should keep pace with modern, medical technology. Late term abortions are extremely disturbing to most Maine people. The case before the U.S. Supreme Court is on state prohibitions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
“Governors receive Legislation on their desk from locally elected State Representatives and State Senators. In Maine, our local officials listen to the people. As Governor I have a proven history of supporting Life, including helping our most vulnerable women and children facing domestic abuse to our vulnerable senior citizens.”
US Rep. Chellie Pingree, a Democrat:
“I share the feelings of outrage, fear, and utter shock that millions of women across the country are experiencing right now. If this draft Supreme Court opinion is genuine and Roe v. Wade is overturned, a deeply partisan court will be undoing nearly 50 years of an established right to body autonomy.
“In every state in the nation, 70% of Americans oppose a federal ban on abortion care. A ban on abortions will not stop abortions — it will stop safe reproductive care. In a pre-Roe America, women died because they didn’t have access to basic reproductive health care.
I never thought that we’d turn back the clock to that dark time. The government shouldn’t be able to tell anyone what to do with their own bodies. If you can’t force someone to donate blood, you can’t force someone into pregnancy.”
US Rep. Jared Golden, a Democrat:
“As an elected official, I have consistently held and openly shared my pro-choice position with regard to abortion and women’s access to reproductive healthcare options.
“If the court ultimately chooses to reverse Roe v. Wade, my position will remain firmly in support of the principles established under Roe.”
State Senate President Troy Jackson, a Democrat:
“I find myself struggling to find the right words in response to the leaked draft of the Supreme Court opinion that intends to overturn the landmark abortion rights case. It does not reflect the values, experiences, or needs of an overwhelming majority of Americans.
. . . I know people are scared, so let me be clear — (Maine Senate Democrats) are committed to protecting Mainers’ right to abortion. We’re committed to making sure Maine people can make their own decisions about whether or not to start a family.”
