Senator Susan Collins Opposes A.G. Nominee Over Abortion Stance
Todd Blanche’s remarks to anti-abortion activists appear to have influenced a significant Senate Republican decision. On Tuesday, Senator Susan Collins of Maine declared her opposition to President Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general due to concerns over his record. One key issue was Blanche’s promise to anti-abortion advocates, pledging to halt the nationwide mailing of abortion medication.
Collins, a pro-choice advocate, cited Blanche’s pledge as a critical factor. She stated that Blanche “promised an anti-abortion organization that he would seek to prohibit the mailing of abortion medication to women nationwide,” potentially increasing federal involvement in abortion policy. This stance follows the Supreme Court’s Dobbs ruling, which returned abortion regulation to the states.
Blanche also reportedly stated he would work to make Dobbs “permanent” if confirmed as attorney general, according to The Hill. Newsweek reached out to Collins and the Department of Justice (DOJ) for comments.
Key Points
According to reports from The Hill, Blanche said, “If states have said, ‘We are going to protect the unborn and we’re going to protect every life from the moment of conception,’ we’re implementing practices and policies to prevent other states and organizations from opposing that.” He continued, “They can’t do things like they’re doing with mailing in mail-order drugs.”
The DOJ responded, clarifying that these comments have been mischaracterized. They argued the remarks pertained specifically to mail-order abortion drugs, not a broader federal control expansion over states.
Before Collins announced her opposition, Reproductive Freedom for All President and CEO Mini Timmaraju commented on Blanche’s commitments. Timmaraju stated, “Todd Blanche is making dangerous promises behind closed doors to use the Justice Department to enforce a national abortion ban. We must take his declarations seriously.”
Collins’ stance against Blanche highlights her ongoing independence on abortion rights within her party. She has previously voted for several conservative Supreme Court justices but identifies as pro-choice. Collins criticized decisions to overturn Roe v. Wade by Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch as “inconsistent” with their prior assurances to her about supporting established precedents.
Collins continues to argue for the legality of important abortion protections nationwide. Her opposition to Blanche underscores the political sensitivity of his abortion views. As attorney general, he’d supervise the Justice Department’s enforcement of federal abortion laws, including those related to the Comstock Act and medication mailing.
Blanche’s commitments to anti-abortion groups may become critical in his confirmation, especially for moderate Republicans. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.