Sen. Susan Collins criticizes conservative justices after Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade

Sen. Susan Collins called the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade on Friday an "ill-considered action" and criticized the conservative justices who supported the decision. "Throwing out a precedent overnight that the country has relied upon for half a century is not conservative," the Maine Republican said in a statement. 

Collins, who supports abortion rights and faced criticism for her vote to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh, is one of the two Republican senators who introduced legislation in February that would strengthen abortion rights and codify Roe vs. Wade into law. Following the Supreme Court's decision, which will usher in new rules limiting or banning access to abortion in half of the states — in some places immediately — Collins criticized the justices who supported the decision.

"The Supreme Court has abandoned a 50-year precedent at a time that the country is desperate for stability," she said. "This ill-considered action will further divide the country at a moment when, more than ever in modern times, we need the Court to show both consistency and restraint."