GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski explains her vote against Kavanaugh: This is 'bigger than a nominee'
After being the lone dissenting Republican in the 51-49 vote to advance Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation to a full Senate vote, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) seemed to say she'll repeat that decision in a full vote slated for Saturday. "I believe Brett Kavanaugh is a good man,” Murkowski explained to reporters after the controversial vote, but added that she "believe[s] we are dealing with issues right now that are bigger than a nominee."
Murkowski, meanwhile, has "been wrestling with whether or not this was about the qualifications of a good man or is this bigger than the nominee," she told reporters Friday, adding that she "did not come to a decision on this until walking into the floor this morning." Reuters has interpreted her comments to mean "she had not made up her mind" on a final vote. Murkowski did say she'll expand on her decision in a floor statement later.
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Manchin is reportedly unwilling to be the deciding vote on Kavanaugh, meaning Collins' 3 p.m. announcement could very well determine Saturday's outcome.
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