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Brett Kavanaugh: The nomination and the allegations in 300 words Brett Kavanaugh: The nomination and the allegations in 300 words
(about 9 hours later)
An FBI report about US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh has been given to US senators ahead of a vote to confirm him. The Senate has voted to advance US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh to a final confirmation vote on Saturday.
The investigation was commissioned after a series of allegations of sexual misconduct were made against him. It follows an FBI report into several sexual misconduct allegations against him.
Last week, at a combative hearing in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the judge denied the allegations and pledged never to give up.Last week, at a combative hearing in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the judge denied the allegations and pledged never to give up.
It followed testimony from Doctor Christine Blasey Ford, a research psychologist, who said an assault by Mr Kavanaugh 36 years ago had "drastically" affected her life.It followed testimony from Doctor Christine Blasey Ford, a research psychologist, who said an assault by Mr Kavanaugh 36 years ago had "drastically" affected her life.
Republican and Democrat senators are divided over the nomination and, with only a 51-49 party split, his confirmation hangs in the balance.Republican and Democrat senators are divided over the nomination and, with only a 51-49 party split, his confirmation hangs in the balance.
Why does this matter?Why does this matter?
If Mr Kavanaugh is confirmed he could tilt the balance of the Supreme Court in favour of Republicans for decades. If Mr Kavanaugh is confirmed, he could tilt the balance of the Supreme Court in favour of Republicans for decades.
Judges hold the position for life and the nine-member court has the final say on US law, including on contentious social issues and challenges to government policy.Judges hold the position for life and the nine-member court has the final say on US law, including on contentious social issues and challenges to government policy.
What are the accusations?What are the accusations?
Dr Ford claims Mr Kavanaugh tried to force himself on her at a party in the 1980s when he was 17. Prof Ford says Mr Kavanaugh tried to force himself on her at a party in the 1980s when he was 17.
Judge Kavanaugh's classmate at Yale University, Deborah Ramirez, then told the New Yorker he exposed himself to her at a party.Judge Kavanaugh's classmate at Yale University, Deborah Ramirez, then told the New Yorker he exposed himself to her at a party.
A third woman, Julie Swetnick, alleges she was the victim of a gang rape in 1982 at a party the judge attended. A third woman, Julie Swetnick, alleged she was the victim of a gang rape in 1982 at a party the judge attended.
He has rejected all the accusations.He has rejected all the accusations.
At his hearing he also denied drinking excessively to the point of blacking out - something some of Mr Kavanaugh's school and university classmates have contested.At his hearing he also denied drinking excessively to the point of blacking out - something some of Mr Kavanaugh's school and university classmates have contested.
What happens now?What happens now?
A confirmation vote in the full Senate is expected on Saturday.A confirmation vote in the full Senate is expected on Saturday.
Republicans want their nominee in place before mid-term elections next month, when they could lose their control of the chamber.Republicans want their nominee in place before mid-term elections next month, when they could lose their control of the chamber.
But with such a small majority, they need all their members to vote along party lines.