Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Scott Detrow, NPR

Supreme Court nominee Kavanaugh called Roe v. Wade 'settled law'

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
"We covered a wide range of issues, and it was very helpful, very productive and very important," Sen. Susan Collins said of her meeting with Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh on Tuesday.
"We covered a wide range of issues, and it was very helpful, very productive and very important," Sen. Susan Collins said of her meeting with Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh on Tuesday.
Zach Gibson

Republican Sen. Susan Collins says Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh told her he views the landmark abortion rights ruling Roe v. Wade as "settled law."

That assurance, made during a Tuesday morning meeting in the Maine senator's office that lasted more than two hours, likely goes a long way toward securing a key vote for Kavanaugh's confirmation.

Collins supports abortion rights and made sure to point out she viewed the 1973 decision as "settled law" in her initial reaction to the news that abortion rights swing vote Anthony Kennedy was retiring from the Supreme Court.

"We talked about whether he considered Roe to be settled law," Collins told reporters after the meeting. "He said that he agreed with what Justice Roberts said at his nomination hearing, at which he said that it was settled law." Democrats quickly questioned the value of Kavanaugh's statement, especially given President Trump's repeated promise during the 2016 presidential campaign to appoint nominees who would "automatically" overturn Roe. "Let's be clear: This is not as simple as Judge Kavanaugh saying that Roe is settled law," said Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. "Everything the Supreme Court decides is settled law until it unsettles it. Saying a case is settled law is not the same thing as saying a case was correctly decided."

But with nearly all Democrats likely to vote no, Kavanaugh's key audience isn't Schumer — it's moderates like Collins and Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

Murkowski also supports abortion rights, and with Republicans holding a slim 51-49 Senate majority and Arizona Sen. John McCain on extended leave as he is treated for brain cancer, Kavanaugh very likely needs both Collins' and Murkowski's votes to be confirmed.

After her more than two hour discussion with the nominee, Collins sounded as though she is almost there. "We covered a wide range of issues, and it was very helpful, very productive and very important," Collins said. Still, the Republican said she won't make a final decision until after next month's confirmation hearings.

Kavanaugh also met with five Democrats Tuesday, including Schumer and longtime Senate Judiciary Committee member Patrick Leahy of Vermont. Copyright 2019 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.