06 Oct 2018 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The US Senate girded Friday for a critical, too- close-to-call vote on moving ahead with the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, as Republicans brushed aside complaints by Democrats that a new FBI probe of sexual assault allegations against him was rushed and incomplete.
A final vote could come Saturday on President Donald Trump’s embattled candidate, who if approved would seal a conservative majority on the nine-seat court for decades. It is not a done deal, however. Republicans hold a 51-49 majority in the chamber and three of their members are seen as undecided on Kavanaugh, as a confirmation process that has gripped the city and the nation and aggravated already deep political divisions reaches its climax with just weeks to go before mid-term elections.
Under new rules approved last year, 50 votes are needed for victory in Friday’s procedural vote. It is on ending debate on the confirmation and moving to a formal and definitive confirmation vote.
The vote is expected around 10:30 am (1430 GMT). That same threshold of 50 also applies to the final confirmation vote. Thursday was a day of high drama and emotion in Washington:
protesters swamped Capitol Hill and roamed the corridors of the Senate to lobby lawmakers who took turns in a secure basement room reviewing a single copy of the new FBI report on Kavanaugh.
WASHINGTON AFP
Oct5, 2018
24 Sep 2024 24 Sep 2024
24 Sep 2024 24 Sep 2024
24 Sep 2024 24 Sep 2024
24 Sep 2024 24 Sep 2024
24 Sep 2024 24 Sep 2024