This article is from the source 'bbc' 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.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-45762281

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Brett Kavanaugh: First test vote due on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh: First test vote due on Supreme Court nominee
(35 minutes later)
The US Senate is preparing to take its first vote on President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.The US Senate is preparing to take its first vote on President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
The vote - called "cloture" - is being seen a test of support for the embattled nominee who has faced sexual assault allegations from several women.The vote - called "cloture" - is being seen a test of support for the embattled nominee who has faced sexual assault allegations from several women.
All eyes are on four swing senators. Republicans have a 51-49 majority.All eyes are on four swing senators. Republicans have a 51-49 majority.
Mr Kavanaugh's confirmation in the final vote on Saturday would tilt the country's top court in favour of conservatives for years to come.Mr Kavanaugh's confirmation in the final vote on Saturday would tilt the country's top court in favour of conservatives for years to come.
The nine-member panel has the final say on issues such as abortion, gun control and voting rules and justices are appointed for life.The nine-member panel has the final say on issues such as abortion, gun control and voting rules and justices are appointed for life.
As the senate began its deliberations on Friday morning, the party divisions were laid bare in the opening remarks from representatives of both parties.
Hundreds of protesters against Mr Kavanaugh were arrested in Washington, DC, on Thursday, including comedian Amy Schumer.Hundreds of protesters against Mr Kavanaugh were arrested in Washington, DC, on Thursday, including comedian Amy Schumer.
The protest was on the day that the FBI delivered the report of its inquiry into the allegations against Mr Kavanaugh.The protest was on the day that the FBI delivered the report of its inquiry into the allegations against Mr Kavanaugh.
According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), constituents have placed close to 40,000 calls to various senators, urging them to vote against the judge.According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), constituents have placed close to 40,000 calls to various senators, urging them to vote against the judge.
What is this first vote for?What is this first vote for?
Friday's vote - called "cloture" - is to end debate on the nominee. It kick-starts a 30-hour period of discussions in the Senate, followed by the final simple majority vote on Saturday.Friday's vote - called "cloture" - is to end debate on the nominee. It kick-starts a 30-hour period of discussions in the Senate, followed by the final simple majority vote on Saturday.
Given that Republicans have a razor-thin margin of control in the Senate, the party can potentially only afford one defection if it wants to confirm Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, assuming Democrats vote the same way.Given that Republicans have a razor-thin margin of control in the Senate, the party can potentially only afford one defection if it wants to confirm Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, assuming Democrats vote the same way.
His nomination has been at the mercy of three wavering Republican senators, but two of those - Jeff Flake and Susan Collins - appeared to respond positively to the FBI report - which has not been made public.His nomination has been at the mercy of three wavering Republican senators, but two of those - Jeff Flake and Susan Collins - appeared to respond positively to the FBI report - which has not been made public.
Another wavering Republican senator, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, reportedly met sexual assault survivors in her office on Thursday.Another wavering Republican senator, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, reportedly met sexual assault survivors in her office on Thursday.
Complicating matters, the office of Republican Steve Daines said he was planning to attend his daughter's wedding in Montana on Saturday - meaning he might not be around to vote, or that the vote may be held open until he can return to take part.Complicating matters, the office of Republican Steve Daines said he was planning to attend his daughter's wedding in Montana on Saturday - meaning he might not be around to vote, or that the vote may be held open until he can return to take part.
Another Republican, Cory Gardner, who previously said he would back Judge Kavanaugh, is yet to decide how he will vote, the Denver Post reported.Another Republican, Cory Gardner, who previously said he would back Judge Kavanaugh, is yet to decide how he will vote, the Denver Post reported.
A previously undecided Democratic Senator, Heidi Heitkamp, said she would vote against Judge Kavanaugh, citing "concerns about his past conduct".A previously undecided Democratic Senator, Heidi Heitkamp, said she would vote against Judge Kavanaugh, citing "concerns about his past conduct".
And Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, the only Democrat who remains undecided, said he would finish reading the FBI report on Friday morning.And Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, the only Democrat who remains undecided, said he would finish reading the FBI report on Friday morning.
As the vote neared, the judge defended his neutrality in a Wall Street Journal editorial titled, "I am an independent, impartial judge".As the vote neared, the judge defended his neutrality in a Wall Street Journal editorial titled, "I am an independent, impartial judge".
Addressing his angry testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee, where he branded the allegations against him an "orchestrated political hit", he wrote: "I know that my tone was sharp, and I said a few things I should not have said."Addressing his angry testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee, where he branded the allegations against him an "orchestrated political hit", he wrote: "I know that my tone was sharp, and I said a few things I should not have said."
What was the FBI inquiry about?What was the FBI inquiry about?
Mr Kavanaugh has faced sexual assault allegations from several women, most prominently Professor Christine Blasey Ford.Mr Kavanaugh has faced sexual assault allegations from several women, most prominently Professor Christine Blasey Ford.
Both gave public testimony last week in which Prof Ford said she had been assaulted by Mr Kavanaugh when they were both teenagers in 1982.Both gave public testimony last week in which Prof Ford said she had been assaulted by Mr Kavanaugh when they were both teenagers in 1982.
Mr Kavanaugh denied the claim - and allegations that he drank to the point of memory loss at the time - in a feisty confrontation with senators.Mr Kavanaugh denied the claim - and allegations that he drank to the point of memory loss at the time - in a feisty confrontation with senators.
After the testimony, President Trump agreed to a new FBI inquiry.After the testimony, President Trump agreed to a new FBI inquiry.
Federal agents are believed to have spoken to five witnesses regarding Prof Ford's accusations and another four other witnesses involving a separate accusation by Deborah Ramirez, who said the nominee had exposed himself to her when they were both at Yale University. He denies Ms Ramirez's allegations, too.Federal agents are believed to have spoken to five witnesses regarding Prof Ford's accusations and another four other witnesses involving a separate accusation by Deborah Ramirez, who said the nominee had exposed himself to her when they were both at Yale University. He denies Ms Ramirez's allegations, too.
Mr Trump and his fellow Republicans said the new FBI report had cleared their nominee.Mr Trump and his fellow Republicans said the new FBI report had cleared their nominee.
But Democratic senators said it had been incomplete.But Democratic senators said it had been incomplete.
The lawyers of both women have also complained that several witnesses they had offered to the FBI to corroborate their claims had not been contacted at all.The lawyers of both women have also complained that several witnesses they had offered to the FBI to corroborate their claims had not been contacted at all.