Brett Kavanaugh vote - LIVE: Swing voters Susan Collins and Joe Manchin announce they will vote yes
Donald Trump tweeted he was 'very proud' of the Senate's roll call vote
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The US Senate is likely set to place Brett Kavanaugh's on the Supreme Court after swing vote Senators declare they will vote to confirm Donald Trump's second nominee to the highest court in the country.
Senators were provided up to 30 hours to debate ahead of a final vote on the embattled nominee, who has been accused of sexual assault and misconduct by numerous women, primarily Christine Blasey Ford. However, Republican Senators Susan Collins and Jeff Flake as well Democratic Senator Joe Manchin have already said they support the nomination.
The final tally in Mr Kavanaugh’s procedural vote was 51-49, setting the stage for lawmakers to likely cast their final votes on the nominee over the weekend. Mr Trump celebrated the move, writing on Twitter, "Very proud of the US Senate for voting ‘YES’ to advance the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh!"
Protests still continue on Capitol Hill as women are openly weeping over the likelihood of Mr Kavanaugh's lifetime appointment.
Follow the latest news below:
Ms Collins said those who made Dr Ford testify, mainly Democrats in her estimation, "cared little or at all for her well-being".
"I want to state this very clearly. I know Senator Dianne Feinstein extremely well and I know she would never do that," Ms Collins said about the many Republican Senators who said Ms Feinstein purposefully leaked Dr Ford's confidential letter detailing her alleged assault to the media in order to derail Mr Kavanaugh's confirmation.
"Someone leaked this letter against Professor Ford's express wishes," Ms Collins said.
"What you did was unconscionable. You have taken a survivor...and sacrificed her well-being for whatever political crusade you think you are fighting," Ms Collins said to the leaker.
Ms Collins appears outraged about the leaking of the letter, but Dr Ford also indicated she decided herself to testify as a matter of "civic duty".
"it is particularly worrisome the Supreme Court...the principled guardian of our shared Constitutional heritage...is viewed as a problem through a political lens," Ms Collins said, railing against the "dysfunctional circus" of Mr Kavanaugh's confirmation process.
"Brett Kavanaugh would work to lessen the division of the Supreme Court so we would have far fewer 5-4 decisions," she said.
She confirms her vote is "yes" to confirm Mr Kavanaugh.
Per their promise, activist groups in Maine are raising several thousand dollars in campaign contributions to whoever decides to run against Ms Collins in her 2020 re-election bid.
Senator Joe Manchin has said he will also vote "yes" on Mr Kavanaugh, breaking with the Democratic party.
Read our coverage as to why the West Virginia Democrat would do so:
Protesters are drowning out Mr Manchin's comments, shouting "Shame! Shame! Shame" at the Senator.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments