The Senate has voted to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court following a bizarre battle between the parties in the wake of sexual assault allegations made against the nominee.
After several key Senators announced their vote yesterday, Kavanaugh’s confirmation was not a surprise, and the final vote was 50-48. According to Fox News, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) was the only Democrat to vote “yes.” Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) voted “no,” but voted “present” as a courtesy to Senator Steve Daines (R-Montana), who was attending his daughter’s wedding.
Kavanaugh got two “yes” votes from Mississippi as Senators Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith have continued to support his confirmation throughout the process.
“Judge Kavanaugh has been subjected to the most rigorous confirmation process in the history of the Supreme Court. This process revealed what we have known from the beginning: Judge Kavanaugh is highly-qualified, and Senate Democrats were willing to go to any lengths to prevent this nomination from moving forward. I am thankful their smear tactics were not successful and that the rule of law and due process have prevailed over obstruction and divisive political tactics. I proudly cast a vote for Judge Kavanaugh. I am confident he will be a fair-minded and honest addition to the Supreme Court.” – Wicker
Hyde-Smith agreed with Wicker and has been vocal with her support of the nominee including during her appearance at President Trump’s ‘Make America’ Great Again’ rally in Mississippi.
“A vote to fill a Supreme Court vacancy is one of the most consequential that a Senator will ever make. Brett Kavanaugh earned my vote with his impeccable qualifications and his steadfastness throughout a confirmation process tainted by sordid accusations and crass partisan treachery.
“Judge Kavanaugh never wavered from his vow not to buckle under political or public pressure, which is a characteristic we need in a Supreme Court justice. I believe Judge Kavanaugh will be a justice whose adherence to the Constitution and the rule of law will be a credit to the Court and all Americans. The American people know they deserve better than what the nation has experienced over the past few weeks” – Hyde Smith
The entire country tuned in to watch Kavanaugh and Dr. Christine Blassey Ford’s testimony last week in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee which was followed by an FBI investigation. The parties disagreed on the scope and length of the investigation, which did not uncover any new information. Ford’s inability to remember specific details about the alleged assault was the focus of many Republicans after her testimony.
Following Kavanaugh’s confirmation, the President tweeted his praise for the Senate and their final vote.
I applaud and congratulate the U.S. Senate for confirming our GREAT NOMINEE, Judge Brett Kavanaugh, to the United States Supreme Court. Later today, I will sign his Commission of Appointment, and he will be officially sworn in. Very exciting!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 6, 2018
Protests have erupted across the country during the process, and they’ll likely continue in the coming days.
