Fried challenges Collins's argument about Kavanaugh's Dobbs vote
Amy FriedPolitical scientist and Political Sightlines author, in an October 22 column
Fried argues that Collins's six-vote explanation confuses upholding Mississippi's law with overturning Roe. She distinguishes Roberts's narrower position from the five-justice overruling majority.
“Thus it was a five person majority without the Chief Justice that ended a federal right to abortion.”
Analysis
Where this statement fits
Was Susan Collins's 2018 vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh justified after Dobbs?
In 2018 Susan Collins supported Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court confirmation, citing his discussion of precedent and Roe v. Wade. He joined the 2022 Dobbs opinion overruling Roe, which Collins said conflicted with what he had told her about long-standing precedent. In June 2026 she said she did not regret the confirmation vote while disagreeing with his Dobbs vote. Her critics argue that the confirmation enabled the loss of nationwide abortion protections.
Source and context
Analysis
About this source
Fried challenges Collins's arguments about her confirmation vote and the number of justices who overturned Roe.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
She quotes Collins saying Roe would have fallen without Kavanaugh because the vote was 6-3.
After the quotation
She discusses the effects of abortion restrictions and Collins's political explanations.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is Collins's justification for her confirmation vote. Fried challenges her account of Kavanaugh's role in Dobbs.
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The Dispute Index. "Fried challenges Collins's argument about Kavanaugh's Dobbs vote". First published: 2026-10-29. Last updated: 2026-10-29. https://disputeindex.com/events/7183-fried-argues-that-collins-s-six-vote-explanation