As President Trump prepares to name the second Supreme Court nominee of his presidency, a group of advocacy organizations in Maine - including Maine Women's Lobby, Maine Conservation Voters, AFL-CIO and others - are urging the state's two U.S. senators to reject generic assurances during the confirmation process.
"An assurance that someone will 'follow precedent' is of course standard - and close to meaningless. We really need answers," said Mary Bonauto, civil rights project director for the LGBTQ advocacy group GLAD, in a press call Thursday.
The group is asking Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King to press the nominees about how they feel about a number of landmark cases such as Roe v Wade - but also Brown v The Board of Education of Topeka, which de-segregated schools, and Griswold v Connectictut - which decriminalized birth control for married couples.
"And if they will not answer these questions, I would urge the senators to conclude that these individuals are not qualified," Bonauto said.
Eliza Townsend, of Maine Women's Lobby, said Trump's short list was vetted by conservatives and continues a "pattern" of nominations "hostile" to women, workers, minorities, and the environment.
Trump has reportedly held meetings with six candidates, and is expected to announce his choice Monday.
