GOP senator praises Supreme Court’s abortion ruling

by TheHill.com - 06/27/16 11:19 AM ET

Republican Sen. Mark Kirk (Ill.), considered among the most vulnerable incumbents this election season, praised the Supreme Court’s Monday ruling that struck down a controversial Texas abortion law.

“Glad to see #SCOTUS uphold access to health care for women,” Kirk said on Twitter:Senate

The Supreme Court delivered a win to abortion clinics in the first major decision on the issue in approximately two decades.

It found that the Texas law, which set tougher restrictions for abortion clinics, created a “substantial obstacle in the path of women” and that neither of its provisions “offers medical benefits sufficient to justify the burdens upon access that each imposes.”

{mosads}Kirk’s Republican Senate colleagues quickly denounced the court’s ruling. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), the majority whip, said the decision “sets a dangerous precedent” and is a “step back in protecting the well-being of mothers across our state.”

But Monday’s comments aren’t the first time the Illinois Republican has bucked his party.

Kirk, along with GOP Sens. Susan Collins (Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), tried to strip out a section defunding Planned Parenthood from an ObamaCare repeal bill late last year.

Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), who is running to unseat Kirk in November, also praised the Supreme Court’s ruling, saying, “Thank you SCOTUS for protecting the right to choose today!”

Senate Republicans are defending 24 Senate seats in November, including a handful, like Kirk’s, in states that President Obama carried in 2008 and 2012.

Democrats need to net four seats to win back the majority if they also retain the White House, and five back to control the Senate outright.