Mainers’ Rights On The Line: What Senator Collins’ Votes For Right Wing Justices Mean For Pending Supreme Court Cases

Yesterday, the Supreme Court heard arguments in a Louisiana abortion case that  could strike a devastating blow to reproductive rights across the country. Just four years ago, the court overturned a nearly identical law in Texas. But now, with two new conservative justices on the court, the outcome is uncertain.

This is the first reproductive rights case before the Supreme Court since anti-choice justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh joined the Court thanks to critical confirmation votes by Senator Susan Collins. 

But it’s not just reproductive rights that are on the line -- this year the right-wing justices that Senator Collins voted to confirm are hearing cases with huge implications for LGBTQ rights, DREAMERs, government transparency, and consumer rights. 

Here’s a look at upcoming Supreme Court cases that could be in the hands of Collins-confirmed right-wing justices:

• LGBTQ Rights: Bostock v. Clayton County
  • The court will decide in this case whether it’s legal for an employer to fire someone because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

• DREAMers: DHS v. Regents of the University of California

  • The outcome of this case will determine whether the Trump administration will be allowed to end DACA.

  • Nearly 150 DACA recipients live and work in Maine.

  • Senator Collins cast the deciding vote to confirm Solicitor General Francisco, who is arguing the case against DACA.

• Contraception: Little Sisters of the Poor Saints Peter and Paul Home v. Pennsylvania

  • This case will determine whether it was legal for the Trump administration to allow employers to deny birth control coverage to their employees.

• Trump’s Tax Returns: Trump v. Mazars

  • The court will rule on whether House investigators can obtain Trump’s tax returns.

• Consumer Protection: Seila Law v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

  • The outcome of this case could undermine the independence of the CFPB.

  • The CFPB helped 110 Maine servicemembers with complaints in 2018 alone.

  • In 2015, Senator Collins voted against protecting the CFPB’s financial independence

With two new conservative justices on the court thanks to Senator Collins, women, DACA recipients and members of the LGBTQ community in Maine are waiting for decisions that could have devastating impacts on their lives. Make no mistake: by voting to confirm Justices Gorsuch and Kavanaugh, Senator Collins paved the way for decisions that could hurt Mainers.

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