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:
Senator Susan Collins is set to announce her final vote decision in just a few moments.
Ms Collins has appeared on the Senate floor amid protesters chanting "Vote No!"
"Today we have to a conclusion of a confirmation process that is so dysfucntional it has become a characterisation of a gutter-level political campaign rather than a solemn occasion".
Ms Collins is hitting out at "special interest groups" who are "spreading misrepresentations and outright falsehoods" about Mr Kavanaugh.
"Interest groups have also spent an unprecedented amount of dark money" to oppose this nomination, she said. She has not offered evidence of what that means, however.
Ms Collins said her "duty" is to "focus on the nominee's qualifications" and that she "fully expects" a nominee to "put aside" personal beliefs while sitting on the US Supreme Court.
She noted she has voted to confirm all the Supreme Court nominees who have come before the Senate for confirmation - including Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor nominated by Democratic President Barack Obama.
She said she met with Mr Kavanaugh for "two hours" and spoke to him on the phone for "another hour".
"I have also met with thousands of my constituents both advocates and opponents" of Mr Kavanaugh.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments