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.

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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.