This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2018/sep/28/kavanaugh-senate-committee-vote-live
The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 11 | Version 12 |
|---|---|
| Brett Kavanaugh: panel votes in favor but Jeff Flake calls for FBI inquiry before final vote – live updates | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| According to the Associated Press, the Democratic senator, Joe Manchin, often viewed as a possible swing vote, says he supports Flake’s call to delay voting so the FBI can conduct a background investigation. | |
| I applaud Senator Jeff Flake’s decision to rise above the partisan circus on display during this entire process. It took courage to take a stand and call for a one-week FBI investigation to get to the bottom of the allegations against Judge Kavanaugh. This has been a partisan and divisive process. | |
| Here’s a clip of Jeff Flake’s dramatic intervention before the committee vote: | Here’s a clip of Jeff Flake’s dramatic intervention before the committee vote: |
| The Republican senator, Lisa Murkowski, says she supports the proposed one-week delay to the US Senate’s Kavanaugh vote. | The Republican senator, Lisa Murkowski, says she supports the proposed one-week delay to the US Senate’s Kavanaugh vote. |
| The committee cannot force such a delay but Republicans hoping to push through the nomination in a full Senate vote will need all the support they can get, meaning it would be difficult for them to steamroller wavering the likes of Murkowski and Flake and win. | The committee cannot force such a delay but Republicans hoping to push through the nomination in a full Senate vote will need all the support they can get, meaning it would be difficult for them to steamroller wavering the likes of Murkowski and Flake and win. |
| The senate judiciary committee has finally voted on whether Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the supreme court should be advanced to the full Senate after a chaotic morning. | The senate judiciary committee has finally voted on whether Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the supreme court should be advanced to the full Senate after a chaotic morning. |
| The committee voted 11 to 10 to advance the nomination after senator Jeff Flake, a Republican, asked for the vote to be delayed one week so the FBI could investigate the accusations made against Kavanaugh. | The committee voted 11 to 10 to advance the nomination after senator Jeff Flake, a Republican, asked for the vote to be delayed one week so the FBI could investigate the accusations made against Kavanaugh. |
| Flake’s proposal was informal because the judiciary committee doesn’t set the vote, senate majority leader Mitch McConnell is responsible for that. The implication is that Flake will vote no if the investigation doesn’t happen and the vote advances early next week as was initially planned. | Flake’s proposal was informal because the judiciary committee doesn’t set the vote, senate majority leader Mitch McConnell is responsible for that. The implication is that Flake will vote no if the investigation doesn’t happen and the vote advances early next week as was initially planned. |
| Donald Trump had been meeting with the president of Chile during the committee meeting but said shortly after the vote: “I just want it to work out well for the country.” | Donald Trump had been meeting with the president of Chile during the committee meeting but said shortly after the vote: “I just want it to work out well for the country.” |
| The day started with a morning vote on whether to vote to advance the nomination in the afternoon. Nearly all the Democratic senators walked out in protest of that vote, but ultimately participated in the afternoon vote. | The day started with a morning vote on whether to vote to advance the nomination in the afternoon. Nearly all the Democratic senators walked out in protest of that vote, but ultimately participated in the afternoon vote. |
| Trump has also just commented on Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony. | Trump has also just commented on Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony. |
| “I thought her testimony was very compelling, and she looks like a very fine woman to me,” Trump told reporters. | “I thought her testimony was very compelling, and she looks like a very fine woman to me,” Trump told reporters. |
| “Brett’s testimony was, likewise, really something that I hadn’t seen before.” | “Brett’s testimony was, likewise, really something that I hadn’t seen before.” |
| And now, Donald Trump: “I’m going to let the Senate handle that.” | And now, Donald Trump: “I’m going to let the Senate handle that.” |
| He says he has only heard a little bit about the meeting because he is meeting with the president of Chile. | He says he has only heard a little bit about the meeting because he is meeting with the president of Chile. |
| “I just want it to work out well for the country,” Trump says. | “I just want it to work out well for the country,” Trump says. |
| Amid a nice bout of chaos, Politico’s chief political correspondent appears to have much more confidence than US senators. | Amid a nice bout of chaos, Politico’s chief political correspondent appears to have much more confidence than US senators. |
| This isn’t complicated:There’s no legislative mechanism to enforce Flake’s agreement with Ds. McConnell could call his bluff and bring #Kavanaugh vote to the floor immediately — *if* he believes Flake is the only R who supports the delay. Would be an enormous gamble. | This isn’t complicated:There’s no legislative mechanism to enforce Flake’s agreement with Ds. McConnell could call his bluff and bring #Kavanaugh vote to the floor immediately — *if* he believes Flake is the only R who supports the delay. Would be an enormous gamble. |
| Several things could happen on Kavanaugh: Senate could vote to move to the nomination..& then not hold procedural votes or move to vote on the nomination. Or...McConnell could hold off completely, contingent upon Flake’s wishes..& then move on the nomination. Path is unclear now | Several things could happen on Kavanaugh: Senate could vote to move to the nomination..& then not hold procedural votes or move to vote on the nomination. Or...McConnell could hold off completely, contingent upon Flake’s wishes..& then move on the nomination. Path is unclear now |
| The meeting’s final moments: | The meeting’s final moments: |
| Open mics captured Grassley, Feinstein & Leahy bickering over what happened in the Judiciary Cmte. Kavanaugh has advanced to the floor of the Senate but there's a "gentlemen and women's agreement" to delay floor vote for a week so FBI can probe. McConnell is not bound by the deal pic.twitter.com/Z4orwHqi1k | Open mics captured Grassley, Feinstein & Leahy bickering over what happened in the Judiciary Cmte. Kavanaugh has advanced to the floor of the Senate but there's a "gentlemen and women's agreement" to delay floor vote for a week so FBI can probe. McConnell is not bound by the deal pic.twitter.com/Z4orwHqi1k |
| And now, South Carolina Republican, Lindsey Graham: “Somebody has got to explain this to Trump, so I guess that’ll be my job.” | And now, South Carolina Republican, Lindsey Graham: “Somebody has got to explain this to Trump, so I guess that’ll be my job.” |
| Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota Democrat, tells reporters: “we are in a better place than we were at 8am this morning.” | Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota Democrat, tells reporters: “we are in a better place than we were at 8am this morning.” |
| In sum, Flake is now suggesting he won't vote to confirm Kavanaugh without a one-week FBI probe into Dr. Ford's allegations. That gives nice cover to other hold-outs, Collins and Murkowski.Up to McConnell to grant that week of delay, which he def doesn't want to do. | In sum, Flake is now suggesting he won't vote to confirm Kavanaugh without a one-week FBI probe into Dr. Ford's allegations. That gives nice cover to other hold-outs, Collins and Murkowski.Up to McConnell to grant that week of delay, which he def doesn't want to do. |
| I'll just say we *still* don't have answers about July 1st and this gathering of people Ford says was present the night of the assault and which Kavanaugh notes in his calendar that he was with drinking beers.An FBI investigation could definitely clear those questions up. | I'll just say we *still* don't have answers about July 1st and this gathering of people Ford says was present the night of the assault and which Kavanaugh notes in his calendar that he was with drinking beers.An FBI investigation could definitely clear those questions up. |
| A stunned Kamala Harris exiting the judiciary committee: “I can’t even. I don’t know. I don’t know how to react to that.” | A stunned Kamala Harris exiting the judiciary committee: “I can’t even. I don’t know. I don’t know how to react to that.” |
| Amid confusion, Grassley abruptly adjourns the meeting, citing a two hour rule. | Amid confusion, Grassley abruptly adjourns the meeting, citing a two hour rule. |
| The gavel went down and Feinstein said: “What?” | The gavel went down and Feinstein said: “What?” |
| “This is all a gentlemen’s and women’s agreement,” Grassley responds before the mics are switched off. | “This is all a gentlemen’s and women’s agreement,” Grassley responds before the mics are switched off. |
| Republicans won the key committee vote, bringing Kavanaugh to the brink of becoming a supreme court justice. | Republicans won the key committee vote, bringing Kavanaugh to the brink of becoming a supreme court justice. |
| Kavanaugh’s nomination to the nation’s highest court now advances to the full Senate. | Kavanaugh’s nomination to the nation’s highest court now advances to the full Senate. |
| There is an informal potential roadblock, however, which is that Flake has asked for the vote to be delayed for a week, though this is not something the committee can decide. | There is an informal potential roadblock, however, which is that Flake has asked for the vote to be delayed for a week, though this is not something the committee can decide. |
| Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell schedules the vote, and is not on the judiciary committee. | Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell schedules the vote, and is not on the judiciary committee. |
| Flake is saying he will vote no unless an FBI investigation takes place, which would give McConnell reason to delay the vote. | Flake is saying he will vote no unless an FBI investigation takes place, which would give McConnell reason to delay the vote. |
| McConnell controls the floor. But if Flake has Collins & Murkowski on his side, it doesn’t matter | McConnell controls the floor. But if Flake has Collins & Murkowski on his side, it doesn’t matter |
| There is still some confusion on whether Flake’s call for an investigation is being weighed. | There is still some confusion on whether Flake’s call for an investigation is being weighed. |
| Either way, the committee voted 11-10 to advance Kavanaugh’s nomination. | Either way, the committee voted 11-10 to advance Kavanaugh’s nomination. |
| The meeting is back in session. | The meeting is back in session. |
| Republican senator Jeff Flake, of Arizona, has asked to speak. | Republican senator Jeff Flake, of Arizona, has asked to speak. |
| Flake says they’ve had ongoing conversation to make sure “they do due diligence.” | Flake says they’ve had ongoing conversation to make sure “they do due diligence.” |
| He asks to delay the floor vote for up to one week. He says he spoke to other Republicans who might be supportive of that move. | He asks to delay the floor vote for up to one week. He says he spoke to other Republicans who might be supportive of that move. |
| “This committee has acted properly,” Flake says. | “This committee has acted properly,” Flake says. |
| Senators are asking for clarity on what they are voting for. | Senators are asking for clarity on what they are voting for. |
| Senators are coming back in the room so we should have some explanation for the delay momentarily. | Senators are coming back in the room so we should have some explanation for the delay momentarily. |
| Worth noting: | Worth noting: |
| Elsewhere in the Capitol, other Senate Republicans are having what I'm sure is a leisurely lunch. | Elsewhere in the Capitol, other Senate Republicans are having what I'm sure is a leisurely lunch. |
| The recess was supposed to end seven minutes ago, but there have been many intense side meetings between senators in and outside the chamber for the past 30 minutes. | The recess was supposed to end seven minutes ago, but there have been many intense side meetings between senators in and outside the chamber for the past 30 minutes. |
| There are a lot of aides and senators moving around and a lot of people talking with folders in front of their faces to stop lip readers. | There are a lot of aides and senators moving around and a lot of people talking with folders in front of their faces to stop lip readers. |
| What is actually happening? Only a couple dozen people know. | What is actually happening? Only a couple dozen people know. |
| Now 1:30 pm et. But no vote yet on Kavanaugh. Grassley just went into the back. Something is up | Now 1:30 pm et. But no vote yet on Kavanaugh. Grassley just went into the back. Something is up |
| A very agitated Sen. Grassley just admonished reporters for trying to ask him a question while he was trying to talk to an aide right outside anteroom | A very agitated Sen. Grassley just admonished reporters for trying to ask him a question while he was trying to talk to an aide right outside anteroom |
| The dean of Yale law school, which Kavanaugh attended, has also called for an additional investigation before the confirmation process proceeds. | The dean of Yale law school, which Kavanaugh attended, has also called for an additional investigation before the confirmation process proceeds. |
| Dean Gerken Joins the ABA in Calling for Further Investigation. pic.twitter.com/SYAsVHwsi7 | Dean Gerken Joins the ABA in Calling for Further Investigation. pic.twitter.com/SYAsVHwsi7 |
| Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat who walked out of the hearing earlier, said he has to “disbelieve” Kavanaugh, who he calls an “angry” man. | Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat who walked out of the hearing earlier, said he has to “disbelieve” Kavanaugh, who he calls an “angry” man. |
| Senators on both sides have largely avoided saying explicitly that they believe one person and do not believe the other. | Senators on both sides have largely avoided saying explicitly that they believe one person and do not believe the other. |
| Blumenthal addresses Dr Ford’s sons, calling their mother a hero. | Blumenthal addresses Dr Ford’s sons, calling their mother a hero. |
| It’s an interesting comment as the Republican senators have repeatedly mentioned Kavanaugh’s daughters and how the process has impacted them. | It’s an interesting comment as the Republican senators have repeatedly mentioned Kavanaugh’s daughters and how the process has impacted them. |
| With 30 minutes to go until the vote, here’s a brief roundup of reactions on Twitter to the morning’s news: | With 30 minutes to go until the vote, here’s a brief roundup of reactions on Twitter to the morning’s news: |
| Writer Jill Filipovic | Writer Jill Filipovic |
| Divorce your Republican husbands. | Divorce your Republican husbands. |
| MSNBC analyst Maya Harris | MSNBC analyst Maya Harris |
| Hard to hold your head up when you have no spine. https://t.co/5NwUlfy6p0 | Hard to hold your head up when you have no spine. https://t.co/5NwUlfy6p0 |
| Writer Jessica Valenti | Writer Jessica Valenti |
| I hope rape survivors confront Jeff Flake in public for the rest of his life. | I hope rape survivors confront Jeff Flake in public for the rest of his life. |
| Journalist Elise Hu | Journalist Elise Hu |
| It feels like we're in the last season of America | It feels like we're in the last season of America |
| John Kennedy, Republican from Louisiana, has called the process an “intergalactic freak show.” | John Kennedy, Republican from Louisiana, has called the process an “intergalactic freak show.” |
| He spends his allotted time roundly criticizing the entire procedure. | He spends his allotted time roundly criticizing the entire procedure. |
| “There were no winners in this room yesterday,” he said. “None. All I saw were two people, two human beings in pain.” | “There were no winners in this room yesterday,” he said. “None. All I saw were two people, two human beings in pain.” |