Senator King to Oppose Judge Kavanaugh Nomination

Citing his extensive research and conversations with constituents, Senator King announced he will be opposing Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court.

In his statement, Senator King noted Judge Kavanaugh’s support for limiting personal liberty protections, including the right to obtain an abortion: “He may not vote directly to repeal Roe – though I think his record indicates that he will – but he will almost certainly vote to whittle away its protections, leaving not much more than a hollow shell.”

Senator King added “And spare me, please, the “umpire just calling balls and strikes” routine; deciding whether a state law severely restricting reproductive rights is “unduly burdensome”, for example – which he will almost surely have to do – is a value-laden judgement call, not some mechanical application of easily defined criteria.”

In response, Nicole Clegg, Vice President of Public Policy of the Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund, released the following statement:

“For more than a generation, Maine’s senators have stood up for women and their right to make personal, private decisions about their pregnancies. The future of these rights and the legacy of Maine senators as champions for women’s health hinges on this confirmation. We deeply appreciate Senator King’s record of support for reproductive rights, and his pledge to reject Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court.

“It is clear from his statement that Senator King took the time to review Judge Kavanaugh’s record, his public statements, and the limited documents available, listened to the people of Maine and came to the same conclusion we did: Judge Kavanaugh should not be confirmed to a lifetime appointment on the Supreme Court. The stakes are too high.”  

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