Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation as a justice on the Supreme Court has led to questions about Roe v. Wade as her confirmation cements a conservative majority. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) believes Barrett would not vote to overturn the decision.
Murkowski told reporters on Monday prior to the Senate’s vote, “I don’t see her overturning the decision in Roe v. Wade, based on — based on the weighting of the reliance factors,” according to The Hill.
The Republican senator continued, “I believe, that given how she outlined, not only to me but how she spoke to the issue of reliance when she was before the committee, I believe that she will look at that and weight that in any matters, in any cases that come before her that take up Roe v. Wade.”
The Supreme Court made a 7-2 decision on Roe v. Wade in 1973 which “affirms the legality of a woman’s right to have an abortion under the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution,” as CNN reports.
Murkowski — who voted yes to confirm Barrett — supports a woman’s right to choose, but with some limits. The senator met with Barrett on Monday and the two spoke about “what that means to overturn, potentially overturn something, that generations of women are relying on.”
The senator later said:
“I think if you were to ask Judge Barrett for a document that you could point to that says clearly that she would vote to overturn [Roe v. Wade,] she would say you’re not going to find one.”
Murkowski also repeated, “Fairly weighting and evaluating, I believe she won’t vote to overturn Roe v. Wade.”
Amid Barrett’s confirmation, the topic of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was pushed forward by Democrats over concerns it would be struck down. However, Murkowski says she believes “the ACA will not be thrown out.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) slammed President Donald Trump and Republican senators after Barrett’s confirmation, saying in a statement, “Now, Americans must continue to make their voices heard in the election. Congress will have to reverse the damage of a radical Republican court and defend pre-existing condition protections together with every other benefit and protection of the Affordable Care Act.”
