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Brett Kavanaugh supreme court hearing: Planned Parenthood urges rejection with ads – live Brett Kavanaugh fails to shake hands with Parkland victim's father – live
(35 minutes later)
Sen. Grassley draws laughs from the crowd as he attempts to get Sen. Booker to wrap up as he blows through the 10-minute time limit during his opening remarks. Booker says he’s a “trailblazer” as extends it for a few more minutes.
Actress Piper Perabo was among the dozens of protesters arrested during the Kavanaugh hearing. She is best known for her roles as CIA agent Annie Walker in the drama Covert Affairs and as the lead in the romantic musical Coyote Ugly.
I was just arrested for civil disobedience in the Kavanaugh hearings.Many citizens before me have fought for the equal rights of women. I can’t be silent when someone is nominated to the Supreme Court who would take our equal rights away.#StopKavanaghpic.twitter.com/f3SG7gmVam
Here’s a better look at the photo that may come to define this hearing.Here’s a better look at the photo that may come to define this hearing.
Fred Guttenberg, the father of Jamie Guttenberg who was killed last year in a school shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, left, attempts to shake hands with supreme court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, right, as he leaves for a lunch break.Fred Guttenberg, the father of Jamie Guttenberg who was killed last year in a school shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, left, attempts to shake hands with supreme court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, right, as he leaves for a lunch break.
Some background on the gun politics at play over Kavanaugh’s nomination from The Guardian’s Lois Beckett.Some background on the gun politics at play over Kavanaugh’s nomination from The Guardian’s Lois Beckett.
In August, the @NRA touted that they were launching "a seven-figure national and regional advertising campaign" to support Kavanaugh's confirmation. The @NRA ad is here: https://t.co/nNgFsaB78gIn August, the @NRA touted that they were launching "a seven-figure national and regional advertising campaign" to support Kavanaugh's confirmation. The @NRA ad is here: https://t.co/nNgFsaB78g
The White House deputy press secretary Raj Shah has responded Guttenberg’s tweet. Shah says that security “intervened” before Kavanaugh was able to shake his hand.The White House deputy press secretary Raj Shah has responded Guttenberg’s tweet. Shah says that security “intervened” before Kavanaugh was able to shake his hand.
NEW VIDEO of hearing room clearly shows security intervened when Judge #Kavanaugh was approached. pic.twitter.com/ZGRRCcWroWNEW VIDEO of hearing room clearly shows security intervened when Judge #Kavanaugh was approached. pic.twitter.com/ZGRRCcWroW
Shah claims that video of the exchange affirms the White House account that security intervened before Kavanaugh could shake Guttenberg’s hand.Shah claims that video of the exchange affirms the White House account that security intervened before Kavanaugh could shake Guttenberg’s hand.
Watch for yourself:Watch for yourself:
Wow, here you can hear @fred_guttenberg telling Kavanaugh that his daughter "was murdered in Parkland," and Kavanaugh whirls and walks away pic.twitter.com/VdkTij2VdpWow, here you can hear @fred_guttenberg telling Kavanaugh that his daughter "was murdered in Parkland," and Kavanaugh whirls and walks away pic.twitter.com/VdkTij2Vdp
Retiring Sen. Jeff Flake is the first Republican to suggest he may have some hard questions in store for Kavanaugh on where he stands regarding executive authority.Retiring Sen. Jeff Flake is the first Republican to suggest he may have some hard questions in store for Kavanaugh on where he stands regarding executive authority.
The Arizona senator, who is retiring at the end of his term, said concerns over Kavanaugh’s nomination stem from the fact that the White House “doesn’t seem to understand and appreciate separation of powers and the rule of law”.The Arizona senator, who is retiring at the end of his term, said concerns over Kavanaugh’s nomination stem from the fact that the White House “doesn’t seem to understand and appreciate separation of powers and the rule of law”.
“I have that concern as well,” he says.“I have that concern as well,” he says.
GOP Sen. Jeff Flake says he shares Democrats’ concern over Trump’s Supreme Court pick Brett Kavanaugh that stems from an “administration that doesn’t seem to understand and appreciate separation of powers and the rule of law” pic.twitter.com/v5skPdL282GOP Sen. Jeff Flake says he shares Democrats’ concern over Trump’s Supreme Court pick Brett Kavanaugh that stems from an “administration that doesn’t seem to understand and appreciate separation of powers and the rule of law” pic.twitter.com/v5skPdL282
Flake pointed to Trump’s tweet yesterday in which the president attacked the Justice Department for bringing charges against two Republican congressman. Flake said he plans to ask “a number of questions” on the subject of executive authority.Flake pointed to Trump’s tweet yesterday in which the president attacked the Justice Department for bringing charges against two Republican congressman. Flake said he plans to ask “a number of questions” on the subject of executive authority.
Two long running, Obama era, investigations of two very popular Republican Congressmen were brought to a well publicized charge, just ahead of the Mid-Terms, by the Jeff Sessions Justice Department. Two easy wins now in doubt because there is not enough time. Good job Jeff......Two long running, Obama era, investigations of two very popular Republican Congressmen were brought to a well publicized charge, just ahead of the Mid-Terms, by the Jeff Sessions Justice Department. Two easy wins now in doubt because there is not enough time. Good job Jeff......
Flake also noted Kavanaugh ran the Boston Marathon twice. “I’m not sure what that says about your soundness of mind,” he teases.Flake also noted Kavanaugh ran the Boston Marathon twice. “I’m not sure what that says about your soundness of mind,” he teases.
Associated Press photographer Andrew Harnik has captured the moment when Kavanaugh refused to shake Guttenberg’s hand.Associated Press photographer Andrew Harnik has captured the moment when Kavanaugh refused to shake Guttenberg’s hand.
Fred Guttenberg, the father of Jamie Guttenberg who was killed in the shooting in Parkland, Fla., left, tries to shake hands with @realDonaldTrump's Supreme Court nom., Brett Kavanaugh, right, during a lunch break. Kavanaugh did not shake his hand. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) @ap pic.twitter.com/smcCGuLT6XFred Guttenberg, the father of Jamie Guttenberg who was killed in the shooting in Parkland, Fla., left, tries to shake hands with @realDonaldTrump's Supreme Court nom., Brett Kavanaugh, right, during a lunch break. Kavanaugh did not shake his hand. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) @ap pic.twitter.com/smcCGuLT6X
There has been some buzz over Sen. Sasse’s use of the word “hysteria” to accuse pro-abortion activists of crying wolf over the potential threat a conservative supreme court nominee could pose to Roe v Wade.There has been some buzz over Sen. Sasse’s use of the word “hysteria” to accuse pro-abortion activists of crying wolf over the potential threat a conservative supreme court nominee could pose to Roe v Wade.
"Hysteria is undoubtedly the first mental disorder attributable to women, accurately described in the second millennium BC, and until Freud considered an exclusively female disease." https://t.co/Mkdrknkgob"Hysteria is undoubtedly the first mental disorder attributable to women, accurately described in the second millennium BC, and until Freud considered an exclusively female disease." https://t.co/Mkdrknkgob
Fred Guttenberg, the father of Parkland shooting victim Jaime Guttenberg who is attending the hearing, said he attempted to introduce himself to Kavanaugh.Fred Guttenberg, the father of Parkland shooting victim Jaime Guttenberg who is attending the hearing, said he attempted to introduce himself to Kavanaugh.
Just walked up to Judge Kavanaugh as morning session ended. Put out my hand to introduce myself as Jaime Guttenberg's dad. He pulled his hand back, turned his back to me and walked away. I guess he did not want to deal with the reality of gun violence.Just walked up to Judge Kavanaugh as morning session ended. Put out my hand to introduce myself as Jaime Guttenberg's dad. He pulled his hand back, turned his back to me and walked away. I guess he did not want to deal with the reality of gun violence.
That face says it all...That face says it all...
Pic of the day, via @drewangerer pic.twitter.com/FMmvdkpMKjPic of the day, via @drewangerer pic.twitter.com/FMmvdkpMKj
A moment of levity as Sen. Ben Sasse congratulates Sen. Amy Klobuchar on her remarks, which made reference to Hamilton, James Madison and the Magna Carta, among others judicial minds and documents.A moment of levity as Sen. Ben Sasse congratulates Sen. Amy Klobuchar on her remarks, which made reference to Hamilton, James Madison and the Magna Carta, among others judicial minds and documents.
At the start of the confirmation hearing on Tuesday, a new ABC News/Washington Post poll finds support for his appointment is among the lowest for a high court nominee since 1987.
“Only two nominees have had weaker public support: Harriet Miers, who withdrew her nomination, in 2005; and Robert Bork, rejected by the Senate in 1987,” according to ABC.
38% of Americans say Kavanaugh should be confirmed to the Supreme Court
39% of Americans say the judge should not be confirmed while the rest undecided in this poll.
Six in 10 Americans also say Kavanaugh should publicly state his position on abortion before being confirmed, the poll found.
As the hearings kicked off, Planned Parenthood Tuesday announced a new six-figure ad buy, urging senators to reject Kavanaugh.
The TV and radio ads will run in Alaska, the home state of Senator Lisa Murkowski, a moderate Republican considered one of the few swing votes on the supreme court nomination. Susan Collins, the Maine Senator and other swing vote, has also been the target of ads. Abortion rights groups fear Kavanaugh’s confirmation could spell the end of Roe v Wade, which guarantees the legality of abortion. Both Murkowski and Collins would have to vote against him to kill the confirmation.
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.
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:
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.”
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.)
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
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.
“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.
“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.
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.
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”.