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| Brett Kavanaugh supreme court hearing: chairman denies Democrat motion to delay proceedings – live | Brett Kavanaugh supreme court hearing: chairman denies Democrat motion to delay proceedings – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Grassley announces that the committee will take a brief 30-minute break. | |
| While the senators deliver their opening statements, we’re waiting for an announcement from Arizona governor Doug Ducey, who is expected to name former senator Jon Kyl to replace senator John McCain, who died last month from brain cancer. | While the senators deliver their opening statements, we’re waiting for an announcement from Arizona governor Doug Ducey, who is expected to name former senator Jon Kyl to replace senator John McCain, who died last month from brain cancer. |
| Cindy McCain, John McCain’s widow who was considered a possible replacement, said on Twitter that Kyl is a “dear friend” and that the appointment is a “great tribute to John that he is prepared to go back into public service to help the state”. | Cindy McCain, John McCain’s widow who was considered a possible replacement, said on Twitter that Kyl is a “dear friend” and that the appointment is a “great tribute to John that he is prepared to go back into public service to help the state”. |
| Jon Kyl is a dear friend of mine and John’s. It’s a great tribute to John that he is prepared to go back into public service to help the state of Arizona. | |
| Arizona’s junior senator Jeff Flake, who is retiring, called it an “excellent choice” and said there is “no one more qualified” to serve the state for a second turn. | |
| Governor Ducey has selected Senator Jon Kyl as Senator McCain’s replacement. What an excellent choice! There is no one more qualified and Arizona is well served. Kudos to Senator Kyl for his willingness to serve once again. | |
| Republicans hold the narrowest 50-49 majority in the Senate, leaving Mitch McConnell little room for error on the Kavanaugh nomination should the vote fall along party-lines. | |
| Kyl helped sherpa Kavanaugh through the vetting process and his appointment will give Republicans cushion should a GOP senator waver in their support for the nominee. | |
| For more on what the appointment means: | For more on what the appointment means: |
| One by one the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee are delivering their opening remarks. The Republicans are accusing Democrats of impugning Kavanugh’s distinguished record for partisan gain. Democrats are offering a glimpse of the questions they plan to ask Kavanaugh during the questions portion of the hearing (likely tomorrow). | One by one the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee are delivering their opening remarks. The Republicans are accusing Democrats of impugning Kavanugh’s distinguished record for partisan gain. Democrats are offering a glimpse of the questions they plan to ask Kavanaugh during the questions portion of the hearing (likely tomorrow). |
| Sen. Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Senate Democrat, acknowledged the protests at the top of his remarks: “What we’ve heard is the noise of democracy. This is what happens in a free country when people can stand up and speak.” He added, in a rebuke of Cornyn: “It is not mob rule.” | Sen. Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Senate Democrat, acknowledged the protests at the top of his remarks: “What we’ve heard is the noise of democracy. This is what happens in a free country when people can stand up and speak.” He added, in a rebuke of Cornyn: “It is not mob rule.” |
| Durbin closes by asking Kavanugh to show that he has nothing to hide by calling on the committee to suspend the hearing until his records are released to the public. | Durbin closes by asking Kavanugh to show that he has nothing to hide by calling on the committee to suspend the hearing until his records are released to the public. |
| “Step up, ask this gathering to suspend,” Durbin said, as Kavanaugh scribbled in his notepad. (These are just opening remarks, so the judge can’t actually respond yet.) | “Step up, ask this gathering to suspend,” Durbin said, as Kavanaugh scribbled in his notepad. (These are just opening remarks, so the judge can’t actually respond yet.) |
| Republicans counter that Democrats have already made up their minds about Kavanaugh and that their interruptions and delay requests are just for show. | Republicans counter that Democrats have already made up their minds about Kavanaugh and that their interruptions and delay requests are just for show. |
| (1) Booker at the Kavanaugh hearing: We just need more time to carefully consider this nomination. What’s the Rush?(2) Inbox, moments ago: pic.twitter.com/GUj7NIyf9B | (1) Booker at the Kavanaugh hearing: We just need more time to carefully consider this nomination. What’s the Rush?(2) Inbox, moments ago: pic.twitter.com/GUj7NIyf9B |
| Republicans hand out this as the senators continue to argue. “Minds made up” it says. “senate judiciary committee democrats rallied against judge Kavanaugh before the ink was dry on his nomination.” pic.twitter.com/VHTo0GkVpY | Republicans hand out this as the senators continue to argue. “Minds made up” it says. “senate judiciary committee democrats rallied against judge Kavanaugh before the ink was dry on his nomination.” pic.twitter.com/VHTo0GkVpY |
| More than 30 women have been arrested so far during today’s hearing on Brett Kavanaugh, according to the Women’s March. Among them were the group’s co-founders Linda Sarsour and Bob Bland, Women’s March senior advisor Winnie Wong and Orange is the New Black creator Piper Perabo. | More than 30 women have been arrested so far during today’s hearing on Brett Kavanaugh, according to the Women’s March. Among them were the group’s co-founders Linda Sarsour and Bob Bland, Women’s March senior advisor Winnie Wong and Orange is the New Black creator Piper Perabo. |
| “Women are disrupting this hearing today because our lives are at risk. Women will die if Kavanaugh is confirmed,” Rachel O’Leary Carmona, chief operating officer of Women’s March, said in a statement. | “Women are disrupting this hearing today because our lives are at risk. Women will die if Kavanaugh is confirmed,” Rachel O’Leary Carmona, chief operating officer of Women’s March, said in a statement. |
| “Politicians on both sides of the aisle need to know – if you don’t stop Kavanaugh, we will make you pay in November and in 2020. If you’re a Democrat, we’ll primary you - if you’re a Republican, your seat will be flipped. The gloves are off, the rings are on, and we’re ready to resist the fight that chose us. | “Politicians on both sides of the aisle need to know – if you don’t stop Kavanaugh, we will make you pay in November and in 2020. If you’re a Democrat, we’ll primary you - if you’re a Republican, your seat will be flipped. The gloves are off, the rings are on, and we’re ready to resist the fight that chose us. |
| “There is a political price to pay if you’re complicit in Trump’s white supremacist agenda: you will be voted out.” | “There is a political price to pay if you’re complicit in Trump’s white supremacist agenda: you will be voted out.” |
| Sen. Cornyn begins his statement by remarking on how cooly Kavanaugh and his family have handled the protests. | Sen. Cornyn begins his statement by remarking on how cooly Kavanaugh and his family have handled the protests. |
| Soon he’s interrupted by a woman outraged that the senators haven’t received all of teh requested documents on his record: “I had to have a background check to work in a laundromat!” | Soon he’s interrupted by a woman outraged that the senators haven’t received all of teh requested documents on his record: “I had to have a background check to work in a laundromat!” |
| In conclusion, Cornyn says he hopes that every can take a “deep breath” as they move forward into the next phase of the hearing. “We’re not doing well so far,” he jokes, drawing a few polite laughs. | In conclusion, Cornyn says he hopes that every can take a “deep breath” as they move forward into the next phase of the hearing. “We’re not doing well so far,” he jokes, drawing a few polite laughs. |
| Senator Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat, called the hearing “not only shameful, it’s a sham”. He said pointedly as Kavanaugh sat stone-faced before him that the judge should not even be in the room. | Senator Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat, called the hearing “not only shameful, it’s a sham”. He said pointedly as Kavanaugh sat stone-faced before him that the judge should not even be in the room. |
| Highlighting his 44-year service in Congress, Leahy said: the confirmation hearing is the “most incomplete, most partisan, least transport vetting for any supreme court nominee that I’ve ever seen and I’ve seen more of those than anyone serving in the senate today”. | Highlighting his 44-year service in Congress, Leahy said: the confirmation hearing is the “most incomplete, most partisan, least transport vetting for any supreme court nominee that I’ve ever seen and I’ve seen more of those than anyone serving in the senate today”. |
| This is a dangerous game to play in this age of stark partisanship. Nonetheless ... | This is a dangerous game to play in this age of stark partisanship. Nonetheless ... |
| Consider the flipside. A Democratic president is elected after vowing to pick SCOTUS nominees who'd overturn—for e.g.—the Heller gun rights ruling. Then the nominee refuses to say when asked and offers bromides about applying the law fairly. Would he/she get the benefit of doubt? | Consider the flipside. A Democratic president is elected after vowing to pick SCOTUS nominees who'd overturn—for e.g.—the Heller gun rights ruling. Then the nominee refuses to say when asked and offers bromides about applying the law fairly. Would he/she get the benefit of doubt? |
| Feinstein introduces some of the notable attendees. Among them are cancer survivors, LGBTQ rights activists, reproductive rights activists, Fred Guttenberg, father of Parkland shooting victim Jaime Guttenberg, civil rights leader Al Sharpton. | Feinstein introduces some of the notable attendees. Among them are cancer survivors, LGBTQ rights activists, reproductive rights activists, Fred Guttenberg, father of Parkland shooting victim Jaime Guttenberg, civil rights leader Al Sharpton. |
| Sen. Orrin Hatch, a Republican of Utah, says he knows a good nominee when he sees one. After all, he says, he’s been a part of 15 confirmation hearings and seen the appointments of every member of the eight justices currently on the court. | Sen. Orrin Hatch, a Republican of Utah, says he knows a good nominee when he sees one. After all, he says, he’s been a part of 15 confirmation hearings and seen the appointments of every member of the eight justices currently on the court. |
| He accuses Democrats of “turning the volume up to 11” to convince the American public that Kavanaugh is the “four horseman of the apocalypse”. | He accuses Democrats of “turning the volume up to 11” to convince the American public that Kavanaugh is the “four horseman of the apocalypse”. |
| But as his remarks are interrupted by multiple protesters, he becomes irritated and asks the chairman to stop the outbursts. “These people are so out of line they shouldn’t even be allowed in the doggone room,” he says. | But as his remarks are interrupted by multiple protesters, he becomes irritated and asks the chairman to stop the outbursts. “These people are so out of line they shouldn’t even be allowed in the doggone room,” he says. |
| Outside of the hearing room, protesters continue to chant “stop Kavanaugh”. They yell louder every time the door is open, drowning out the senator’s remarks. | Outside of the hearing room, protesters continue to chant “stop Kavanaugh”. They yell louder every time the door is open, drowning out the senator’s remarks. |
| “I’m sorry you’re going to have to go through some of this nonsense that’s coming your way,” Hatch says. | “I’m sorry you’re going to have to go through some of this nonsense that’s coming your way,” Hatch says. |
| Sen. Dianne Feinstein raises several protections and rights that she is worried Kavanaugh will roll back, including access to abortion, gun control, among other issues. | Sen. Dianne Feinstein raises several protections and rights that she is worried Kavanaugh will roll back, including access to abortion, gun control, among other issues. |
| You’re being nominated for a pivotal seat. It would likely be the deciding vote on fundamental issues. ... | You’re being nominated for a pivotal seat. It would likely be the deciding vote on fundamental issues. ... |
| Behind the noise is really a very sincere believe that it is so important to preserve a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multi-economic a court that really serves the people and really serves this great democracy. That’s my worry. | Behind the noise is really a very sincere believe that it is so important to preserve a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multi-economic a court that really serves the people and really serves this great democracy. That’s my worry. |
| A spokeswoman for the Capitol Police said that as of 10:19am EST, 22 individuals have been arrested so far this morning. They have been charged with disorderly conduct. | A spokeswoman for the Capitol Police said that as of 10:19am EST, 22 individuals have been arrested so far this morning. They have been charged with disorderly conduct. |
| At least half a dozen more protesters were removed from the hearing room since then. Police say they will update the count at the end of the day. | At least half a dozen more protesters were removed from the hearing room since then. Police say they will update the count at the end of the day. |
| Meanwhile, the White House is apparently tallying the number of times Democrats have interrupted the hearing. | Meanwhile, the White House is apparently tallying the number of times Democrats have interrupted the hearing. |
| The White House is tallying interruptions during Kavanaugh’s hearing pic.twitter.com/ppiu0x5yyR | The White House is tallying interruptions during Kavanaugh’s hearing pic.twitter.com/ppiu0x5yyR |
| In his remarks, Grassley calls Kavanaugh “one of the most qualified if not the most qualified nominee that I’ve seen” and “the kind of judge Americans want on the Supreme Court”. | In his remarks, Grassley calls Kavanaugh “one of the most qualified if not the most qualified nominee that I’ve seen” and “the kind of judge Americans want on the Supreme Court”. |
| He urges the judge to follow the precedent set by his predecessors and not provide explicit answers on how he might rule from the bench. Quoting justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the court’s liberal lion, Grassley advises Kavanugh to offer “no hints, no forecasts, no previews” of how he’d rule. | He urges the judge to follow the precedent set by his predecessors and not provide explicit answers on how he might rule from the bench. Quoting justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the court’s liberal lion, Grassley advises Kavanugh to offer “no hints, no forecasts, no previews” of how he’d rule. |
| Grassley’s opening statement is drowned out in the room by a series of protesters. The Iowa Republican doesn’t stop reading from his remarks. | Grassley’s opening statement is drowned out in the room by a series of protesters. The Iowa Republican doesn’t stop reading from his remarks. |
| “Kavanaugh is a threat to this democracy,” one man said. “We already went through this in the 80s,” another woman shouted. | “Kavanaugh is a threat to this democracy,” one man said. “We already went through this in the 80s,” another woman shouted. |
| From the perch of this reporter, it’s impossible to see Kavanaugh’s face as the Democrats and Republicans argue. But here’s a look at what senators see. | From the perch of this reporter, it’s impossible to see Kavanaugh’s face as the Democrats and Republicans argue. But here’s a look at what senators see. |
| Brett Kavanaugh through the entirety of his hearing so far. pic.twitter.com/hL06WLcfw4 | Brett Kavanaugh through the entirety of his hearing so far. pic.twitter.com/hL06WLcfw4 |
| Here’s a little background on those “confidential documents” they keep referencing. | Here’s a little background on those “confidential documents” they keep referencing. |
| CONFIDENTIAL DOCS:- So far Grassley's office says only one Democrat has requested permission to talk about 4 documents. - That's Klobuchar. Her request totals 12 pages, says Grassley's office. | CONFIDENTIAL DOCS:- So far Grassley's office says only one Democrat has requested permission to talk about 4 documents. - That's Klobuchar. Her request totals 12 pages, says Grassley's office. |
| Buckle in. The hearing began over one hour ago and no one has yet to give their opening statements. | Buckle in. The hearing began over one hour ago and no one has yet to give their opening statements. |
| We’re expecting opening statements from all the senators and Kavanaugh himself. | We’re expecting opening statements from all the senators and Kavanaugh himself. |
| Senator Cornyn says he’s never seen a supreme court confirmation hearing overtaken by “mob rule.” The crowd titters at the comment. | Senator Cornyn says he’s never seen a supreme court confirmation hearing overtaken by “mob rule.” The crowd titters at the comment. |
| “At some point are we going to get to hear from the nominee?” asks senator John Kennedy, a Republican from Louisiana. Grassley said he had hoped to hear from him before 2.30pm but isn’t sure anymore. | “At some point are we going to get to hear from the nominee?” asks senator John Kennedy, a Republican from Louisiana. Grassley said he had hoped to hear from him before 2.30pm but isn’t sure anymore. |