Troy Jackson Calls Out Susan Collins’ For Vote To Confirm Another Anti-Abortion Judge

Collins has repeatedly voted to confirm anti-abortion judges including Brett Kavanaugh who overturned Roe v. Wade

PORTLAND, ME — Fifth-generation logger, former Maine Senate President, and Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate Troy Jackson released the below statement calling out Senator Susan Collins for her vote to confirm anti-abortion advocate Matthew Byrne to a U.S. District Court seat in Ohio. The vote follows her extensive record of confirming judges who are clear they will roll back reproductive rights if they have the opportunity.

Collins previously voted to confirm Neil Gorsuch and cast the decisive vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. They went on to overturn Roe v. Wade. When asked about her consequential vote to confirm Kavanaugh, Collins said she did not regret it.

“I wish I could say that I’m surprised, but this is the latest in a long line of votes Senator Collins has taken attacking reproductive rights in this country,” said Jackson. “Collins voted to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court despite pleas of reproductive rights advocates — then Roe fell, and she said she didn’t regret her vote. All the while, I was in the Maine Senate where we passed some of the strongest protections for abortion access in the country because I believe these decisions belong to women, their families, and their doctors — not politicians. Mainers are tired of Collins’ lies and broken promises. I’m running for Senate to keep radical anti-abortion extremists out of our courts and make damn sure politicians never again get to take this freedom away from Mainers.”

While Susan Collins has repeatedly voted to roll back reproductive rights and confirm anti-abortion judges, Troy has fought to protect and expand access to abortion in Maine:

As Senate president, Jackson sponsored one of the strongest abortion laws in the country. [Portland Press Herald, 7/19/23]
Jackson immediately condemned the Dobbs ruling and pledged that Maine Senate Democrats would fight attempts to undermine abortion rights. [Maine Monitor, 5/3/22]
Both Planned Parenthood and Reproductive Freedom for All endorsed Jackson for Senate, naming him a champion for reproductive rights.
Waiting periods and forced ultrasounds: Jackson opposed LD 1229, which would have imposed a 48-hour waiting period, and LD 1614, which would have required an ultrasound, biased counseling and a 48-hour waiting period.
Public and private insurance coverage: As Senate President, Jackson helped enact LD 820, requiring MaineCare and private insurance plans covering prenatal care to cover abortion services. He later opposed LD 494, which sought to eliminate state funding for abortion services not covered under the federal Hyde Amendment.
Contraception and emergency contraception: Jackson sponsored LD 1954, requiring state-regulated insurance plans to cover FDA-approved prescription contraceptives without out-of-pocket costs. He also backed LD 2203, expanding coverage to federally approved nonprescription oral and emergency contraceptives.
Abortion access after Dobbs: Jackson cosponsored LD 1619 after Roe was overturned. The law removed criminal penalties specific to abortion care and placed decisions about abortion later in pregnancy in the hands of women and licensed physicians applying the appropriate medical standard of care.
Protecting patients and providers: Jackson backed LD 227, Maine’s shield law protecting reproductive-health patients and providers from hostile actions initiated by other states.

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