Kavanaugh pilloried, praised at hearing
Critics warn he’ll overturn Roe v. Wade
WASHINGTON — After two marathon days questioning Brett Kavanaugh, senators concluded his Supreme Court confirmation hearing yesterday by hearing from friends, foes and legal experts making their cases for and against the judge who is likely to push the high court further to the right.
Abortion was a main focus throughout the weeklong hearing, and yesterday New York University law professor Melissa Murray told lawmakers that Kavanaugh would provide the “necessary fifth vote that would utterly eviscerate” the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. And John Dean, Richard Nixon’s White House counsel, who cooperated with prosecutors during the Watergate investigation, said the high court with Kavanaugh on it would be “the most presidential powers-friendly court in the modern era.”
On the Republican side, witnesses testifying in support of Kavanaugh included longtime friends and former law clerks. They talked about his intelligence and open-mindedness, calling him “thoughtful,” “humble,” “wonderfully warm” and a “fairminded and independent jurist.” A number praised his concerted efforts to hire as law clerks both minorities and women.
Senate Democrats had worked into the night Thursday on Kavanaugh’s final day of questioning in a last, ferocious attempt to paint him as a foe of abortion rights and a likely defender of President Trump.
But the 53-year-old appellate judge stuck to a well-rehearsed script throughout his testimony, providing only glimpses of his judicial stances while avoiding any serious mistakes that might jeopardize his confirmation. With his questioning over, he seemed on his way to becoming the court’s 114th justice. Republicans hope to confirm Kavanaugh in time for the first day of the new Supreme Court term, Oct. 1.
Yesterday, Democratic witnesses expressed concern about Kavanaugh’s record on a range of issues including affirmative action, the rights of people with disabilities, access to birth control and abortion.
Democrats have portrayed Kavanaugh as a justice who might vote to roll back or overturn the Roe v. Wade decision establishing a constitutional right to abortion. Their hope is that, with Senate Democrats in the minority 51-49, two Republican senators who support abortion rights could break from their party and vote against him.
Senators on the Judiciary Committee are likely to vote on Kavanaugh’s confirmation Sept. 20, with a vote by the full Senate the following week.