Senator Collins backs Kavanaugh, paving way for confirmation

As the tally neared an end, she spoke with Collins, a Democratic friend.

Collins announced her decision in a lengthy speech on the Senate floor Friday afternoon, much of which was spent refuting Democratic criticism that Kavanaugh would overturn the Affordable Care Act or Roe v. Wade.

Earlier today, Senate lawmakers backed Kavanaugh by 51 to 49 in a procedural vote that moved the Republican-controlled Senate toward a definitive decision.

Murkowski chose the opposite path.

Nadler said it would probably be hard to interview Kavanaugh if he was sitting on the Supreme Court. She said she regularly talks to her 9- and 12-year-old sons about consent and respecting women, and thinks men should be held to a higher standard.

President Barack Obama’s former National Security Adviser Susan Rice has already indicated she wants to run against Collins, although she later added, “many thanks for the encourgement (sic)”.

He called Sen. Susan Collins’ (R-Maine) Friday floor speech describing Kavanaugh’s accomplishments and Democrats’ obstruction “outstanding”. Both were surrounded by colleagues from both parties after the vote.

“I think that the tenor and the content of the letter is not a radical statement”, said Mary Davis, a United Kingdom law professor. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., one of Kavanaugh’s most ardent supporters. But she said his actions Friday – the closed office, a “yes” in a preliminary vote and his plan to vote yes Saturday – made it increasingly hard to give him the benefit of the doubt.

“We have to assure the American people either that it was a fair process and that the new justice did not commit perjury, did not do these bad things, or reveal that we just don’t know because the investigation was a whitewash”, Nadler said.

Comedian Amy Schumer and model-actress Emily Ratajkowski were among the more than 300 people arrested at various protests on Capitol Hill on Thursday while senators reviewed the FBI report on the investigation into the allegations against Kavanaugh.

Complicating matters, the office of Republican Steve Daines said he was planning to attend his daughter’s wedding in Montana on Saturday. Senators often partner like that to allow an absence without affecting the outcome. And she still stuck to her conscience. “I believe he is a good man, it just may be that in my view he’s not the right man for the court at this time”, Murkowski told reporters following the vote on Friday.

Kavanaugh had been accused by three women of sexual misconduct while he was in high school and college more than 30 years ago – charges he angrily denied.

One of Blasey’s lawyers said that her client only wanted to tell her story and did not support impeachment.

But when asked whether she believed Ford, the first lady would not answer directly. “I found Christine Ford’s testimony to be very heart-wrenching, painful and compelling”.

She used a court case from Washington state as an argument against Kavanaugh. She supports the #MeToo movement, Collins said, calling it badly needed and long overdue.

Hours before the expected roll call vote that would elevate the appeals court judge to the nation’s highest court, Democrats are making clear their strong opposition.

The FBI interviewed Ramirez as part of a background check investigation opened by the White House.

Rep. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, confronting a tough re-election race next month in a state that Trump won in 2016 by a landslide, was the sole Democrat to vote in favor of Kavanaugh.

In theory, Kavanaugh could be confirmed, sworn in and sitting on the mahogany bench in the traditional black justice’s robe by Tuesday, when the court is next in session.

Trump nevertheless cheered the result of the cloture vote.

When it was her turn, Murkowski stood up, paused, and whispered “no”, her voice barely audible. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky sat directly in front of Collins and pivoted his seat around to face her.