Key GOP senators lean toward Kavanaugh

WASHINGTON — GOP senators expected to hold key votes on President Donald Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court are showing subtle signs of support for the Republican effort to put Judge Brett Kavanaugh on the bench.

Both Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine said Tuesday that they are satisfied with the GOP plan to limit the scope of documents to be released regarding Kavanaugh’s record, despite Democrats’ call for a fuller review of the candidate’s work in Washington, particularly his years as staff secretary in the Bush White House.

The women indicated that they were keeping an open mind on his nomination as they review his record. Murkowski and Collins told the Washington Post recently that they aren’t getting the same level of pressure from constituents to vote against Kavanaugh as they did to vote no on the Republican-led effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act last year. Their no votes helped kill those repeal plans.

With Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., receiving cancer treatment at home, Republicans can’t afford to lose a single vote of their 50-49 majority if Democrats stay united and vote against Kavanaugh.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who had initially expressed concerns with Kavanaugh, announced his support for the nominee after meeting with him Monday.

At the same time, cracks are showing in Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer’s effort to keep Democrats united against Kavanaugh.