We *all* know that the fight before us to replace Justice Kennedy will decide the fate of Roe v. Wade. This is not news to anyone. Yes, it will also decide myriad other critical matters, but the long-standing decision that has given women across the country the right to choose how to proceed with a pregnancy is a linchpin in our foundational rights in 2018. The only thing? No. But losing this fight will not just be a slippery slope but a giant collapse to what is left of our tattered state, fewer than two years into this Presidency.
We also know that the Senate will require 50 votes + Mike Pence to confirm an appointment to the Supreme Court. With the GOP clinging to a 51-seat majority, that means we need two votes to peel off and deny the President his likely very anti-choice (and anti-everything else that’s good in this world) pick for the Supreme Court. Where do those two votes come from? Well, can’t hurt to look north, to Maine and to Alaska.
Senators Collins and Murkowski may actually be our democracy’s last opportunity to deny this President the ability to demolish basic civil liberties for the next 50 years. Collins has been a relatively consistent supporter of choice, and Murkowski, while not as consistent, can also see the writing on the wall. There’s no question they both understand the stakes, and there’s no question they’re the likeliest to be open to denying an anti-choice candidate having a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court.
Call them:
Capitol switchboard: (202) 224-3121
Email them:
senator@collins.senate.gov
senator@murkowski.senate.gov
And, don’t forget that Senators Cruz and Heller are up for re-election this year, so their votes are also worth considering (Heller more than Cruz, tbh, since Cruz is, well… Cruz).
Resist.