Kavanaugh's confirmation all but secured with GOP Sen. Susan Collins' decision to back him
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) announced on Friday that she will be voting to confirm Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Collins condemned the "gutter-level" debate surrounding his nomination, saying the process reached "rock bottom" over the past few weeks. "I do not believe that these charges can fairly prevent Judge Kavanaugh from serving on the Court," she said, referring to sexual assault allegations against him.
Collins' support clears the way for the Republican Senate majority to successfully confirm the nominee. As one of the last senators to decide how to vote, Collins' views have been under close scrutiny in recent days. She joined fellow swing voter Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), who also made a last-minute decision to vote in Kavanaugh's favor.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said she would vote against confirming Kavanaugh, after being the only Republican to vote "no" in Friday morning's procedural vote on whether to advance his nomination. That leaves Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) as the very last senator left to announce which way he will vote.
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.
With Collins on board, Republicans likely have the necessary majority to confirm Kavanaugh in a Saturday vote, even if Manchin ultimately decides to vote "no." Assuming senators stick to the votes they have pledged and Manchin follows Collins' lead in an effort not to rock the boat, Kavanaugh would be confirmed 51-49, which BuzzFeed News notes would be the closest Supreme Court confirmation vote of any sitting justice. Even if Manchin votes "no," Vice President Mike Pence can vote to break a 50-50 tie.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
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.
-
Antony Gormley's Time Horizon – a 'judgmental army' of 100 cast-iron men
The Week Recommends Sculptures are 'everymen questioning the privilege of their surroundings' at the Norfolk stately home
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'King's horses take free rein through London'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Is pop music now too reliant on gossip?
Talking Point Taylor Swift's new album has prompted a flurry of speculation over who she is referring to in her songs
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
More than 2,000 dead following massive earthquake in Morocco
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mexico's next president will almost certainly be its 1st female president
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
North Korea's Kim to visit Putin in eastern Russia to discuss arms sales for Ukraine war, U.S. says
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Gabon's military leader sworn in following coup in latest African uprising
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published