Kavanaugh seems to be locking up the GOP swing votes
It's looking increasingly likely that Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh will be successfully confirmed.
Senators received a report Thursday on the FBI's new background investigation into Kavanaugh, ordered in light of the multiple sexual misconduct allegations against him, which he has denied. Democrats immediately complained that the investigation was too limited, especially because it did not include an interview with Kavanaugh accuser Christine Blasey Ford. But what really matters for the nominee's confirmation prospects is how a handful of key Republican swing votes feel about it, as Kavanaugh will be confirmed as long as all 51 Republican senators remain united in their support for him.
Now, two of those swing votes have said they're satisfied with the investigation. The first is Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who said Thursday that the FBI's probe was "very thorough," per CNN's Manu Raju. Collins specified that she still has to review the report, but she certainly does not agree with Democrats that it's incomplete.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Just as significant is the fact that Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), who demanded this investigation in the first place, agrees with Collins, also calling it thorough on Thursday, The Hill's Alex Bolton reports. Additionally, Flake said the probe reveals "no additional corroborating information," per CNN's Phil Mattingly. This would seem to suggest Flake will vote "yes," as he previously told The Atlantic he'd vote to confirm Kavanaugh unless the FBI turned something up.
With Flake and Collins both potentially behind him, CNN's Manu Raju concludes that "Kavanaugh appears, at the moment, headed to the Supreme Court."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Today's political cartoons - November 23, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - qualifications, tax cuts, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Long summer days in Iceland's highlands
The Week Recommends While many parts of this volcanic island are barren, there is a 'desolate beauty' to be found in every corner
By The Week UK Published
-
The Democrats: time for wholesale reform?
Talking Point In the 'wreckage' of the election, the party must decide how to rebuild
By The Week UK Published
-
Global court issues arrest warrant for Netanyahu
Speed Read The International Criminal Court issued warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who stand accused of war crimes
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Gaetz bows out, Trump pivots to Pam Bondi
Speed Read Gaetz withdrew from attorney generation consideration, making way for longtime Trump loyalist Pam Bondi
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
GOP's Mace seeks federal anti-trans bathroom ban
Speed Read Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina has introduced legislation to ban transgender people from using federal facilities
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine fires ATACMS, Russia ups hybrid war
Speed Read Ukraine shot U.S.-provided long-range missiles and Russia threatened retaliation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
New York DA floats 4-year Trump sentencing freeze
Speed Read President-elect Donald Trump's sentencing is on hold, and his lawyers are pushing to dismiss the case while he's in office
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Wyoming judge strikes down abortion, pill bans
Speed Read The judge said the laws — one of which was a first-in-the-nation prohibition on the use of medication to end pregnancy — violated the state's constitution
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US sanctions Israeli West Bank settler group
Speed Read The Biden administration has imposed sanctions on Amana, Israel's largest settlement development organization
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Gaetz ethics report in limbo as sex allegations emerge
Speed Read A lawyer representing two women alleges that Matt Gaetz paid them for sex, and one witnessed him having sex with minor
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published