Republican senator to rush back on private plane after daughter's wedding to vote for Brett Kavanaugh

The Republican senator says he can be 'in two places at once' thanks to his colleague's private jet

Senator Steve Daines has said he will fly to Washington in a private and vote for Brett Kavanaugh on the day of his daughter’s wedding if he’s needed to confirm the Supreme Court nominee.

The Republican said he would use the plane in order to return to Washington from Montana, where he is planning to walk his daughter down the aisle on Saturday afternoon. The scheduling conflict arrived as key lawmakers remained undeclared in their final decision surrounding the embattled nomination.

"My good friend and colleague, Greg Gianforte, has come to save the day. If I need to be in two places at once to walk my daughter down the aisle on her wedding day and to be the final vote to put Judge Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court, he’s offered me use of his plane," the senator said in a statement on Friday. "I appreciate his generosity as well as his dedication to family and country."

A source on Capitol Hill told The Independent on Friday that the vote could be delayed to Sunday in order to accommodate Mr Daines, depending on whether or not he’s able to make it back in time on Saturday night.

The private plane will not be paid for by taxpayers, a representative for Mr Daines confirmed.

Meanwhile, it remains unclear when exactly the final confirmation vote will be held.

After Mr Kavanaugh narrowly scraped through a Friday procedural vote with 51 senators voting to advance his nomination and 49 opposing, the US Senate was allotted 30 hours to debate. A vote would typically be held shortly after the debate process.

The White House reportedly believes it has enough votes to confirm Mr Kavanaugh as the next Supreme Court justice, though several key lawmakers could sink his nomination if they ultimately decide to vote "no".

Lisa Murkowski, who voted “no” during Friday’s procedural vote, has said she will continue to oppose the nomination, while Susan Collins voted “yes” but said she would speak later in the day about her final decision.

Jeff Flake, who forced the majority to delay Mr Kavanaugh’s vote by a week in order for the FBI to investigate sexual assault claims against the nominee, has said he will vote “yes” barring any last minute changes that could ultimately change his mind. That leaves Joe Manchin, the only Democrat who has voted “yes” to advance Mr Kavanaugh’s nomination. Sources close to Mr Manchin have expressed that he is not likely to switch his vote in the 11th hour.

In the event of a tie, Mike Pence is also expected to return from his trip to New York just in time to potentially cast the final vote in Mr Kavanaugh’s favour.