Kavanaugh Confirmation: A Divisive Day In Washington Hints At Clashes To Come

Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh was confirmed to the Supreme Court on Saturday, with senators voting 50-48, one of the slimmest margins in American history. Kavanaugh was sworn in quietly, as his fate was sealed the day before. On Friday morning in Washington D.C., Kavanaugh secured a crucial swing vote in Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine. The Senate chamber voted 51 to 49 in a procedural vote, forwarding his nomination on to the final Senate vote on Saturday – the same day a nation protested against his nomination.

At 3 p.m. on Friday, politicians and citizens stood still, gripped by Republican Senator Susan Collins’ speech to the Senate explaining and defending her choice to vote “yes” to confirm Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court. Collins said Kavanaugh is entitled to “presumption of innocence” of assault. Focusing on his judicial record, Collins said that she too was concerned about upholding access to birth control and abortion rights, both issues Republicans have sought to dismantle. On Row v. Wade she said, “Protecting this right is important to me.” Collins also stated that while she found Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony sincere, she was not convinced of Kavanaugh’s guilt. As no one in the FBI inquiry came forward to corroborate Dr. Ford’s claims, Collins was satisfied supporting Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court. In what appeared somewhat contradictory, she said: “We must listen to survivors… the #MeToo movement is real, it matters, it is needed, and it is long overdue.”