Kavanaugh set for Supreme Court
DONALD TRUMP was on the cusp of appointing his second Supreme Court judge in less than two years last night after a majority of senators pledged support for Brett Kavanaugh, his nominee.
Three wavering senators – Republicans Jeff Flake and Susan Collins and Democrat Joe Manchin – said yesterday that they would vote yes and a final, binding vote is expected as early as today. If senators vote as they have pledged, Mr Kavanaugh should be confirmed by 51 votes to 49. There was an immediate backlash from protesters as the news filtered out, some chanted “Shame! Shame! Shame!” at Mr Manchin as he tried to explain his decision.
Mr Kavanaugh’s nomination had been thrown into doubt after three women made public accusations of sexual misconduct, but a six-day FBI investigation failed to find corroborating evidence. He denied the allegations.
Mr Kavanaugh’s confirmation would tip the nine-person Supreme Court in a more conservative direction. He is 53 and the appointment is for life.
BRETT KAVANAUGH is set to become a Supreme Court justice as early as today after a majority of senators pledged support, infuriating campaigners and delighting the White House.
Three wavering senators announced they would vote for President Donald Trump’s nominee yesterday despite a string of sexual misconduct claims that threatened to upend his candidacy.
Republicans Jeff Flake of Arizona and Susan Collins of Maine were joined by Democrat Joe Manchin of West Virginia, in saying they would vote yes.
Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, a Republican senator, did announce she would be opposing but her rebellion looked like it would not be enough on its own.
A final, binding vote is expected over the weekend. If senators vote how they have said they will, Mr Kavanaugh will be confirmed by 51 votes to 49.
The developments mean that Mr Kavanaugh’s long, controversial confirmation process, which has gripped and divided the nation is approaching its end.
Barring a sudden change of heart from senators, Mr
Trump will have successfully placed two new judges on America’s top court in the land – a political achievement likely to form a major part of his legacy.
Mr Kavanaugh’s confirmation will be especially significant as he is due to replace a more moderate judge, tipping the nine-person court in a more conservative direction.
That could have a profound impact on legal cases concerning abortion, gay rights, climate change and healthcare reform for decades to come. He is 53 and the appointment is for life. Protesters who had filled Senate buildings for last minute lobbying reacted with anger, with some chanting “Shame! Shame! Shame!” at Mr Manchin as he tried to explain his decision. Last night Jerrold Nadler, a leading Democrat in the House of Representatives, pledged to launch an investigation into Mr Kavanaugh if his party wins back the majority next month. The first sign yesterday that senators were moving towards Mr Kavanaugh came with a procedural vote of the full US Senate.
The vote, which was over whether to move forward with his nomination, was won 51 to 49. All Republicans but one voted for the motion and all Democrats but one opposed it. Mr Kavanaugh had been accused by three women of sexual misconduct. He categorically denied the claims and a six-day FBI probe found no corroborating evidence. CNN reported that senior White House figures were in a “very good mood” after the developments but were not celebrating until the final vote had passed.