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Activists corner Sen. Flake, protest in Senate building ahead of Kavanaugh vote Activists corner Sen. Flake, protest in Senate building ahead of Kavanaugh vote
(35 minutes later)
As the Senate Judiciary Committee votes to confirm Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, Democrats walked out of the hearing and hordes of protesters made one last gasp at disrupting the bitter confirmation process. As the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to confirm Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, Democrats walked out of the hearing and hordes of protesters made one last gasp at disrupting the bitter confirmation process.
After hearing testimony from Kavanaugh and the woman accusing him of sexual assault – Christine Blasey Ford – on Thursday, the 11-Republican, 10-Democrat committee met on Friday to vote on Kavanaugh’s confirmation. Before the committee voted to move the confirmation to the Senate floor, protesters - including a tearful woman who claimed to be a survivor of sexual assault - cornered Sen. Jeff Flake in an elevator and breated the Republican senator for voting in favor of Kavanaugh.
With most of the committee planning on voting along party lines, Sen. Jeff Flake triggered a wave of anger when he announced that he would vote in favor of Kavanaugh’s confirmation. Flake had previously said he would not vote before hearing Ford’s side of the story, but decided to support Kavanaugh after Ford provided no corroborating evidence on Thursday. He did however ask to delay the final senate vote until the FBI could investigate Ford's claims. "Look at me when I'm talking to you," the woman sobbed. "You're telling me that my assault doesn't matter...you're going to let people who do these things into power."
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For his decision, Flake was cornered in an elevator by female activists, who blocked the door and berated the Arizona republican. “You are allowing somebody who is unwilling to take responsibility for his own actions to sit in the highest court of the country,” one shouted into Flake’s face, while another male protester asked Flake to change his mind and “be a hero.” You are allowing somebody who is unwilling to take responsibility for his own actions to sit in the highest court of the country,” another woman shouted into Flake’s face, while another male protester asked Flake to change his mind and “be a hero.”
“Look at me while I’m talking to you,” one demanded, as Flake avoided eye contact. Flake had previously said he would not vote before hearing Ford’s side of the story, but decided to support Kavanaugh after Ford provided no corroborating evidence on Thursday. He did however ask on Friday to delay the final senate vote until the FBI could investigate Ford's claims.
All morning, the corridors of the Dirksen Senate Office Building reverberated with the deafening screech of rape whistles, as a rabble of protesters staged a sit-in protest. The protesters chanted “November is coming,” and “we believe Christine,” and held signs reading “be a hero.”All morning, the corridors of the Dirksen Senate Office Building reverberated with the deafening screech of rape whistles, as a rabble of protesters staged a sit-in protest. The protesters chanted “November is coming,” and “we believe Christine,” and held signs reading “be a hero.”
Scores of protesters were arrested and led away in zip-tie handcuffs. Women’s March activists occupied the Hart Senate Building, renaming it the suitably woke “The People’s Atrium”Scores of protesters were arrested and led away in zip-tie handcuffs. Women’s March activists occupied the Hart Senate Building, renaming it the suitably woke “The People’s Atrium”
Online, the #resistance was equally vocal, since Sen. Lindsey Graham’s (South Carolina) fiery condemnation of the Democratic party’s “unethical sham” allegations and call for a vote triggered a tirade of expletive-laden frustration from #resistance superstar Patton Oswalt on Thursday evening.Online, the #resistance was equally vocal, since Sen. Lindsey Graham’s (South Carolina) fiery condemnation of the Democratic party’s “unethical sham” allegations and call for a vote triggered a tirade of expletive-laden frustration from #resistance superstar Patton Oswalt on Thursday evening.
The tone was much the same on Friday, with the left predicting certain doom if Kavanaugh takes his seat at the nation’s most powerful court.The tone was much the same on Friday, with the left predicting certain doom if Kavanaugh takes his seat at the nation’s most powerful court.
Inside Senate chambers, some Democrats sided with the protest movement. Sens. Cory Booker (New Jersey) and Kamala Harris (California) declined to vote, and joined Sens. Richard Blumenthal (Connecticut), Sheldon Whitehouse (Rhode Island) and Mazie Hirono (Hawaii) in walking out ot the hearing room in protest.Inside Senate chambers, some Democrats sided with the protest movement. Sens. Cory Booker (New Jersey) and Kamala Harris (California) declined to vote, and joined Sens. Richard Blumenthal (Connecticut), Sheldon Whitehouse (Rhode Island) and Mazie Hirono (Hawaii) in walking out ot the hearing room in protest.
Now that the commitee has voted in favor of Kavanaugh, the vote will go to the Senate floor. Republicans hold a 51-49 majority in the Senate, and can only afford to lose a single vote. To that end, Democrats have targeted Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine) as potential swing votes, due to their more centrist stances on abortion. Flake's flip-flopping too means that the senator remains a potential spanner in the gears for Republicans keen for a speedy confirmation.Now that the commitee has voted in favor of Kavanaugh, the vote will go to the Senate floor. Republicans hold a 51-49 majority in the Senate, and can only afford to lose a single vote. To that end, Democrats have targeted Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine) as potential swing votes, due to their more centrist stances on abortion. Flake's flip-flopping too means that the senator remains a potential spanner in the gears for Republicans keen for a speedy confirmation.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) has said that a preliminary vote may take place as early as Saturday morning.Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) has said that a preliminary vote may take place as early as Saturday morning.
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