Controversial Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh has cleared the final stage of confirmation in the US Senate, after a 50-48 vote in the chamber earlier today, and is soon set to be sworn in in president Donald Trump.
The vote came after weeks of bitterly angry debates about Kavanaugh’s character and fitness for the role, made all the more heated by allegations of historic sexual abuse and misconduct that surfaced early in the confirmation process.
Dr Christine Blasey Ford accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her at a party when they were high school students in the 1980s – both testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee, and the nomination process was put on hold for a week for an FBI investigation.
Kavanaugh’s nomination as all-but assured yesterday, when the Senate indicated that he would have the necessary support to move forward by a margin of 51 votes to 49. Today’s total was slightly different thanks to the absence of one senator and abstention of another.
Republican Steve Daines of Montana was not in the chamber for the vote, as he was away attending his daughter’s wedding. Republican Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who previously said she would vote against Kavanaugh’s nomination, voted ‘present’.
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell later explained this procedural oddity to reporters, saying that if one senator is away for a vote, they can pair with another who plans to vote the other way, effectively cancelling each-other out.
Murkowski herself said on the Senate floor that she chose to take the unusual step of voting ‘present’ as a “courtesy” to her friend, adding that “it will not change the outcome of the vote.”
Demonstrators present began shouting “I do not consent” as the roll call began, with one protester shouting “you’re a total coward” at senator Jeff Flake as he cast his vote in favour of Brett Kavanaugh, leading to calls for order in the chamber.
Donald Trump tweeted out his thanks to the Senate for confirming a “GREAT NOMINEE”, while Melania, who is currently in Cairo, said she is “glad” all parties were heard but declined to comment on whether she believes Dr Ford’s allegations.
Kavanaugh’s appointment will be signed off later today, meaning that the bench of the US Supreme Court will be tipped 5-4 in favour of conservative judges.
Supreme Court appointments are for life, and opponents of the nomination have expressed grave concerns as to what the ascendancy of Brett Kavanaugh could mean for issues like gun control and abortion rights.
