GOP Sen. Susan Collins to announce pivotal Kavanaugh decision Friday afternoon
Three of the four swing senators who remain undecided on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation voted on Friday to advance his nomination to a final vote.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) was the only Republican to vote "no" on Kavanaugh's advancement. She reportedly spoke with GOP leaders for more than 20 minutes after casting her vote. Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) voted "yes," though their ultimate decision on whether to support his confirmation remains uncertain. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) was the only Democrat to vote "yes," and he has said he is considering voting "yes" during the final vote, scheduled for Saturday.
Collins plans to announce whether she will vote to confirm Kavanaugh at 3 p.m. Friday. She said on Thursday that the FBI's report regarding sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh was "very thorough," suggesting she was felt the matter had been sufficiently investigated. However, she has not signaled which way she will vote, not even saying whether last minute factors like President Trump's comments were affecting her views.
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.
Kavanaugh needs 50 votes to be confirmed (Vice President Mike Pence could break a tie); so far, 48 of the 51 Senate Republicans have pledged support.
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
Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
North Korea tests ICBM, readies troops in Ukraine
Speed Read Thousands of North Korean troops are likely to join Russian action against Ukraine
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Women take center stage in campaign finale
Speed Read Harris and Trump are trading gender attacks in the final days before the election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US election: who the billionaires are backing
The Explainer More have endorsed Kamala Harris than Donald Trump, but among the 'ultra-rich' the split is more even
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Supreme Court allows purge of Virginia voter rolls
Speed Read Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) is purging some 1,600 people from state voter rolls days before the election
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Empowered' Steve Bannon released from prison
Speed Read Bannon was set free a week before Election Day and quickly returned to his right-wing podcast to promote Trump
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Canada accuses top Modi ally of directing Sikh attacks
Speed Read Indian Home Minister Amit Shah was allegedly behind a campaign of violence and intimidation targeting Sikh separatists
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Harris makes closing case in huge rally at DC's Ellipse
Speed Read The Democratic nominee asked voters to "turn the page" on Trump's "division" and "chaos"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'I am not a Nazi,' Trump says amid MSG rally fallout
Speed Read Trump and his campaign are attempting to stem the fallout from comments made by speakers at Sunday's rally
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published