Collins: I’m going to have ‘in-depth’ talk with SCOTUS pick about Roe v. Wade

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said Sunday that she would have an “in-depth” discussion with any judge President Trump nominates to become a Supreme Court justice.

Collins said on ABC’s “This Week” that she would discuss abortion rights with the nominee to ensure that Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court case that legalized abortion nationwide, remains in place.

“I’m going to have an in-depth discussion with the nominee and I believe very much that Roe v. Wade is settled law, as it has been described by Chief Justice Roberts,” Collins said. “It has been established as a constitutional right for 46 years — 45 years, and was reaffirmed 26 years ago.”

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Collins, who will be a key swing vote in the nominee’s upcoming confirmation process, said on Sunday that she was looking for a Supreme Court pick who would “demonstrate a respect for precedent.”

“A nominee position, whether or not they respect precedent, will tell me a lot about whether or not they would overturn Roe v. Wade,” she said. “A candidate of this import position who would overturn Roe v. Wade would not be acceptable to me, because that would indicate an activist agenda that I don’t want to see a judge have.”

The GOP senator’s remarks come days after Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy announced he would retire at the end of July, giving Trump his second opportunity to nominate a right-leaning justice to the bench.

Kennedy often served as the swing vote on key Supreme Court cases. His replacement will likely reshape the high court for decades to come.

Trump said he intends to name a nominee on July 9 and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has said the Senate will vote on his pick this fall.