Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, is planning a series of tough questions when she meets with Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh Tuesday, she told reporters.
Collins and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, will meet separately with Kavanaugh this week ahead of his Sept. 4 confirmation hearing.
The two are pivotal votes in the confirmation of Kavanaugh, a conservative pick who progressives say is a threat to upholding legal abortion and Obamacare.
Collins and Murkowski are centrist, pro-choice, and undecided on Kavanaugh’s nomination.
[Also read: Brett Kavanaugh offers praise of ‘trailblazing’ women as Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski decide fate]
Collins will meet with Kavanaugh Tuesday. Murkowski said Monday she plans a sit-down with the nominee “this week.”
Collins said she has been reviewing Kavanaugh’s extensive record as a federal judge, law school lecturer, and former Bush administration aide “for weeks,” she said.
Now she has questions based on her review.
“I’ve got extensive questions on a number of issues,” Collins said.
She added: “I have not seen anything that is disqualifying but I have seen a number of issues that raise questions that I need to explore with him and that’s what I’ll do.”
Collins said she’s seeking a nonpartisan judge “who has the judicial philosophy that respects precedent and understands the role of a judge and will apply independent judgement.”
Kavanaugh will also meet with several Democrats this week, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
