President Barack Obama’s first Supreme Court pick could reignite the fight over abortion rights, forcing the new administration to engage on some of the thorny social issues it has largely been able to avoid during its first few months in office. 

Women’s and abortion rights groups began preparing for a tough confirmation fight within hours of the first reports that Justice David Souter would retire in June.

“You cannot assume, and we do not take for granted, that this is going to be easy,” said Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America.