Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said she's going to conduct a "careful, thorough vetting" of President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee.
Trump announced Monday night that he's selected Brett Kavanaugh, a solidly conservative judge, to replace retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy.
That sets up a ferocious confirmation battle with Democrats who are pressuring Collins and Republican Lisa Murkowski of Alaska to oppose any nominee who threatens Roe v. Wade ruling that made abortions legal.
U.S. & World
Collins has said she would oppose any nominee she believed would overturn Roe v. Wade. She stressed that she wants to back a judge who would show respect for settled law such as the Roe decision.
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