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| Brett Kavanaugh: Senate votes yes to advance nomination to final floor vote – live updates | Brett Kavanaugh: Senate votes yes to advance nomination to final floor vote – live updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Arizona Senator Jeff Flake just told reporters that barring a big change, he will be a yes vote on Kavanaugh’s confirmation tomorrow. | |
| Flake and Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski have now both confirmed that their cloture votes today- Flake yes, Mirkowski no- will be their confirmation votes tomorrow. | |
| That means Kavanaugh’s confirmation will come down to Susan Collins and Joe Manchin, who both voted yes for cloture this morning. Either one voting yes for confirmation will secure Kavanaugh’s place on the court. Collins is expected to announce her decision at 3pm Eastern Time. | |
| NEWS: @JeffFlake tells @GarrettHaake he’s a yes on Kavanaugh unless something big changes his final vote. Says he doesn’t see, at this point, what would | |
| Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski told reporters moments ago that she did not make up her mind to vote no on cloture for Kavanaugh’s nomination until she was literally walking in to the chamber this morning. | |
| “I believe Brett Kavanaugh is a good man,” she said. But he’s “not the right man for the court.” | |
| MURKOWSKI says she didn’t make up her mind until walking into the vote. “None of this has been fair.” pic.twitter.com/Hy8UdeCyQx | |
| It’s happening: tomorrow the Senate will hold its final confirmation vote for Brett Kavanaugh after voting on Friday to end debate on his supreme court nomination. | It’s happening: tomorrow the Senate will hold its final confirmation vote for Brett Kavanaugh after voting on Friday to end debate on his supreme court nomination. |
| The Senate voted 51-49 on Friday morning to advance Kavanaugh’s nomination to a final floor vote, but signaled their votes were not cast in stone. | The Senate voted 51-49 on Friday morning to advance Kavanaugh’s nomination to a final floor vote, but signaled their votes were not cast in stone. |
| In tomorrow’s vote, eyes will be on Republicans Jeff Flake, of Arizona; Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska and Susan Collins, of Maine. Flake and Collins voted yes for cloture but Flake has been hesitant to offer strong support for Kavanaugh. Collins said she will announce her position on the final vote this afternoon. Murkowski voted no, a big statement, but she could still ultimately endorse Kavanaugh. | In tomorrow’s vote, eyes will be on Republicans Jeff Flake, of Arizona; Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska and Susan Collins, of Maine. Flake and Collins voted yes for cloture but Flake has been hesitant to offer strong support for Kavanaugh. Collins said she will announce her position on the final vote this afternoon. Murkowski voted no, a big statement, but she could still ultimately endorse Kavanaugh. |
| On the Democrat side, the key vote will likely come down to Joe Manchin, a conservative up for re-election in West Virginia. | On the Democrat side, the key vote will likely come down to Joe Manchin, a conservative up for re-election in West Virginia. |
| Donald Trump said he was “proud” of the Senate for advancing the vote. Hours earlier, he accused protestors of being “paid professionals,” without evidence. | Donald Trump said he was “proud” of the Senate for advancing the vote. Hours earlier, he accused protestors of being “paid professionals,” without evidence. |
| Brett Kavanaugh took the unusual step on Thursday of taking the case for his confirmation to the US supreme court to the pages of the Wall Street Journal, admitting his Senate testimony “might have been too emotional” and insisting that he would be impartial if confirmed. | Brett Kavanaugh took the unusual step on Thursday of taking the case for his confirmation to the US supreme court to the pages of the Wall Street Journal, admitting his Senate testimony “might have been too emotional” and insisting that he would be impartial if confirmed. |
| More than 300 protesters, including the comedian Amy Schumer, were arrested at the US Capitol in Washington as they made a final, desperate appeal to senators. | More than 300 protesters, including the comedian Amy Schumer, were arrested at the US Capitol in Washington as they made a final, desperate appeal to senators. |
| A yes today may be a no tomorrow. Or it might stay a yes. | A yes today may be a no tomorrow. Or it might stay a yes. |
| One key senator, Joe Manchin, Democrat from West Virginia, declines to reveal his final position on Kavanaugh after voting yes on cloture. He also said he has a statement coming out soon. | One key senator, Joe Manchin, Democrat from West Virginia, declines to reveal his final position on Kavanaugh after voting yes on cloture. He also said he has a statement coming out soon. |
| Joe Manchin declines to tell reporters whether his “yes” vote to advance Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation means he will support the judge in tomorrow’s final tally. | Joe Manchin declines to tell reporters whether his “yes” vote to advance Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation means he will support the judge in tomorrow’s final tally. |
| The vote is over, but Republicans in the Senate still can’t rest easy. | The vote is over, but Republicans in the Senate still can’t rest easy. |
| Huddle on the floor with McConnell, Rubio, Thune, Cruz, Gardner, Cotton, Risch and Crapo. pic.twitter.com/754L7vOVfs | Huddle on the floor with McConnell, Rubio, Thune, Cruz, Gardner, Cotton, Risch and Crapo. pic.twitter.com/754L7vOVfs |
| Remarkable the amount of uncertainty ahead of such a consequential vote. This is, needless to say, exceedingly rare. Leaders in both parties don’t know what’s going to happen to Kavanaugh’s nomination - namely whether Manchin or Collins vote against the nomination | Remarkable the amount of uncertainty ahead of such a consequential vote. This is, needless to say, exceedingly rare. Leaders in both parties don’t know what’s going to happen to Kavanaugh’s nomination - namely whether Manchin or Collins vote against the nomination |
| Trump has a quick response to the vote. | Trump has a quick response to the vote. |
| Very proud of the U.S. Senate for voting “YES” to advance the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh! | Very proud of the U.S. Senate for voting “YES” to advance the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh! |
| It remains unclear if Donald Trump’s embattled pick for America’s highest court would ultimately have the votes to be confirmed, writes the Guardian’s Sabrina Siddiqui: | It remains unclear if Donald Trump’s embattled pick for America’s highest court would ultimately have the votes to be confirmed, writes the Guardian’s Sabrina Siddiqui: |
| A handful of key senators tipped their hand in Friday’s procedural motion but signaled their votes were not cast in stone. Two of the chamber’s closely watched moderate Republicans, Senators Jeff Flake of Arizona and Susan Collins of Maine, voted in favor of advancing Kavanaugh, while Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted against the judge. Joe Manchin, a senator up for re-election in conservative West Virginia, was the lone Democrat to break with his party. | A handful of key senators tipped their hand in Friday’s procedural motion but signaled their votes were not cast in stone. Two of the chamber’s closely watched moderate Republicans, Senators Jeff Flake of Arizona and Susan Collins of Maine, voted in favor of advancing Kavanaugh, while Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted against the judge. Joe Manchin, a senator up for re-election in conservative West Virginia, was the lone Democrat to break with his party. |
| “This is one vote that we probably won’t know until the votes are actually cast,” Chuck Grassley, the chairman of the Senate judiciary committee, told reporters on Capitol Hill. | “This is one vote that we probably won’t know until the votes are actually cast,” Chuck Grassley, the chairman of the Senate judiciary committee, told reporters on Capitol Hill. |
| The uncertainty lingered one day after the FBI completed an investigation into the allegations against Kavanaugh, the results of which fell firmly along party lines. Republicans swiftly declared that the FBI’s report, which was shrouded in secrecy and accessed only by senators and a select group of staffers, absolved Kavanaugh of any wrongdoing. | The uncertainty lingered one day after the FBI completed an investigation into the allegations against Kavanaugh, the results of which fell firmly along party lines. Republicans swiftly declared that the FBI’s report, which was shrouded in secrecy and accessed only by senators and a select group of staffers, absolved Kavanaugh of any wrongdoing. |
| Democrats meanwhile condemned the investigation – the parameters of which were reportedly set by the White House – as preordained. | Democrats meanwhile condemned the investigation – the parameters of which were reportedly set by the White House – as preordained. |
| The Senate voted 51-49 in favor of the cloture motion, which will bring an end to debate on Kavanaugh’s nomination to the supreme court. | The Senate voted 51-49 in favor of the cloture motion, which will bring an end to debate on Kavanaugh’s nomination to the supreme court. |
| The final vote on his confirmation could happen as early as tomorrow. | The final vote on his confirmation could happen as early as tomorrow. |
| Support for cloture is not equivalent to support for Kavanaugh, so it’s not clear whether or not he will make it through. | Support for cloture is not equivalent to support for Kavanaugh, so it’s not clear whether or not he will make it through. |
| A key senator, Republican Susan Collins of Maine, said she will reveal her plan for the final vote in a speech at 3pm this afternoon. | A key senator, Republican Susan Collins of Maine, said she will reveal her plan for the final vote in a speech at 3pm this afternoon. |
| Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, votes yes for cloture. | Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, votes yes for cloture. |
| The rest of the key swing senators voted: | The rest of the key swing senators voted: |
| Flake – Yes | Flake – Yes |
| Murkowski – No | Murkowski – No |
| Collins – Yes, but is announcing plan for final confirmation vote at 3pm ET. | Collins – Yes, but is announcing plan for final confirmation vote at 3pm ET. |
| Swing senator Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, has voted no on cloture. | Swing senator Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, has voted no on cloture. |
| Her vote is being read as a no for Kavanaugh as well, but it is too early to say. | Her vote is being read as a no for Kavanaugh as well, but it is too early to say. |
| If Murkowski is a no, that may put the pressure all on Collins this afternoon | If Murkowski is a no, that may put the pressure all on Collins this afternoon |
| Reminder: support for cloture is not equivalent to support for Kavanaugh. | Reminder: support for cloture is not equivalent to support for Kavanaugh. |
| A key senator, Susan Collins, a republican from Maine, said she will reveal her plan for the final vote in a speech at 3pm this afternoon after voting yes for cloture. | A key senator, Susan Collins, a republican from Maine, said she will reveal her plan for the final vote in a speech at 3pm this afternoon after voting yes for cloture. |
| Another potential Republican no vote, Jeff Flake of Arizona, has voted in support of cloture. | Another potential Republican no vote, Jeff Flake of Arizona, has voted in support of cloture. |
| Keep in mind that senators sometimes vote to bring debate to a close….and then vote another way later on the underlying issue. Yet, on other occasions, the cloture vote can predictive of how the final vote may go. | Keep in mind that senators sometimes vote to bring debate to a close….and then vote another way later on the underlying issue. Yet, on other occasions, the cloture vote can predictive of how the final vote may go. |
| The bar USED TO BE 60 votes to invoke cloture on Supreme Court nominees. But McConnell established a new precedent last year (not a rules change) to end debate on SCOTUS nominees. McConnell dropped the bar to a simple majority in an effort to confirm Gorsuch. | The bar USED TO BE 60 votes to invoke cloture on Supreme Court nominees. But McConnell established a new precedent last year (not a rules change) to end debate on SCOTUS nominees. McConnell dropped the bar to a simple majority in an effort to confirm Gorsuch. |
| The procedural vote is under way to end debate on Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination. | The procedural vote is under way to end debate on Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination. |
| It requires a simple majority vote. | It requires a simple majority vote. |
| Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell echoes Grassley’s comment that challenges to Kavanaugh are the work of “the resistance.” | Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell echoes Grassley’s comment that challenges to Kavanaugh are the work of “the resistance.” |
| He says the leak of Christine Blasey Ford’s letter accusing Kavanaugh of attempted rape “opened the floodgates.” | He says the leak of Christine Blasey Ford’s letter accusing Kavanaugh of attempted rape “opened the floodgates.” |
| He dismisses complaints that the FBI report released yesterday was limited in scope. | He dismisses complaints that the FBI report released yesterday was limited in scope. |
| Like Grassley, he references “the mob” for tarnishing the confirmation process. | Like Grassley, he references “the mob” for tarnishing the confirmation process. |
| Twist! One of the key senators, Republican Susan Collins, is expected to vote yes on the cloture motion today – but that does not mean she will vote in support of Kavanaugh. | Twist! One of the key senators, Republican Susan Collins, is expected to vote yes on the cloture motion today – but that does not mean she will vote in support of Kavanaugh. |
| Some insiders suggest support for cloture, a procedural vote that would end debate about Kavanaugh, as equivalent to supporting Kavanaugh in the final Senate vote. | Some insiders suggest support for cloture, a procedural vote that would end debate about Kavanaugh, as equivalent to supporting Kavanaugh in the final Senate vote. |
| But that is a hasty conclusion to draw. | But that is a hasty conclusion to draw. |
| It sounds like we’ll learn whether Collins supports Kavanaugh or not on the senate floor at 3pm ET. | It sounds like we’ll learn whether Collins supports Kavanaugh or not on the senate floor at 3pm ET. |
| If cloture passes – the Republicans can afford only one defection if all Democrats oppose the pick – then a final vote on the nomination would be held over the weekend, likely on Saturday. | If cloture passes – the Republicans can afford only one defection if all Democrats oppose the pick – then a final vote on the nomination would be held over the weekend, likely on Saturday. |
| I’m told @SenatorCollins is expected to vote yes on cloture this am. Will likely announce how she will vote on final confirmation during 3p senate floor speech. #kavanaugh | I’m told @SenatorCollins is expected to vote yes on cloture this am. Will likely announce how she will vote on final confirmation during 3p senate floor speech. #kavanaugh |
| Collins’ procedural vote this AM may NOT be the same as her final vote. After she votes FOR cloture this morning, that may or may not be the same as her final vote on confirmation. Source tells me it is unknown what she will do until she makes her announcement at 3p | Collins’ procedural vote this AM may NOT be the same as her final vote. After she votes FOR cloture this morning, that may or may not be the same as her final vote on confirmation. Source tells me it is unknown what she will do until she makes her announcement at 3p |
| Sign up to the Guardian’s new US morning briefing. We’ll email you a summary of top stories and must-reads every weekday. | Sign up to the Guardian’s new US morning briefing. We’ll email you a summary of top stories and must-reads every weekday. |
| Now Dianne Feinstein, the Democrat ranking member, is voicing her opposition to Kavanaugh’s confirmation. | Now Dianne Feinstein, the Democrat ranking member, is voicing her opposition to Kavanaugh’s confirmation. |
| She begins by reviewing his judicial record, which she says shows he is “pro gun” and is a threat to Roe v Wade, the supreme court’s landmark 1973 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. | She begins by reviewing his judicial record, which she says shows he is “pro gun” and is a threat to Roe v Wade, the supreme court’s landmark 1973 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. |
| She said “these views alone are not sufficient for me to vote against Judge Kavanaugh,” but the events of the last few weeks are why she won’t be supporting him. | She said “these views alone are not sufficient for me to vote against Judge Kavanaugh,” but the events of the last few weeks are why she won’t be supporting him. |
| She is focusing on Kavanaugh’s emotional testimony before the senate judiciary committee, which was partisan in an unprecedented way. | She is focusing on Kavanaugh’s emotional testimony before the senate judiciary committee, which was partisan in an unprecedented way. |
| Grassley continues, he says he does not believe the accusations made against Kavanaugh. | Grassley continues, he says he does not believe the accusations made against Kavanaugh. |
| “The multitude of allegations against him have proven to be false,” Grassley says. | “The multitude of allegations against him have proven to be false,” Grassley says. |
| He gets heated, saying “the resistance” has made it to the US capitol and is destroying civility in the US. He equates voting to confirm Kavanaugh as a vote against “mob rule.” | He gets heated, saying “the resistance” has made it to the US capitol and is destroying civility in the US. He equates voting to confirm Kavanaugh as a vote against “mob rule.” |
| The vote this morning is to end debate on Kavanaugh. The Senate’s confirmation vote could happen as early as tomorrow. | The vote this morning is to end debate on Kavanaugh. The Senate’s confirmation vote could happen as early as tomorrow. |
| The senate is now in session. | The senate is now in session. |
| Chuck Grassley, the Republican chairman of the Senate judiciary committee, is speaking about Kavanaugh’s fitness for the job. | Chuck Grassley, the Republican chairman of the Senate judiciary committee, is speaking about Kavanaugh’s fitness for the job. |
| Grassley says Kavanaugh had an “impeccable reputation” before being targeted by the left. | Grassley says Kavanaugh had an “impeccable reputation” before being targeted by the left. |
| “The conduct of leftwing, dark-money groups in this body has shamed us all,” Grassley says. | “The conduct of leftwing, dark-money groups in this body has shamed us all,” Grassley says. |
| His remarks are focused on how Democrats do not want Kavanaugh to be confirmed. | His remarks are focused on how Democrats do not want Kavanaugh to be confirmed. |