The Senate Judiciary Committee announced the vote on whether to recommend Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the full Senate would be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday.
The chairman, Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, announced the vote as the committee began its meeting.
Meanwhile, the Senate’s second-ranking Republican said he’s “optimistic” that Brett Kavanaugh has the votes for confirmation in the full chamber.
That vote could come early next week if the committee votes in favor of Kavanaugh on Friday.
Majority Whip John Cornyn of Texas told Fox News Friday morning he’s “hopeful” that Democrats from swing states would join Republicans in voting for Kavanaugh.
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the full Senate will vote "in the coming days" — although some key Republicans haven’t said whether they will provide the support needed to confirm President Donald Trump’s second high court nominee.
Putting Kavanaugh on the court, which starts its new term Monday, would give Republicans bragging rights ahead of the Nov. 6 election, when Democrats have a chance to win control of the House and perhaps the Senate. Democrats will campaign on the issue too, accusing Republicans of rushing the confirmation without an FBI investigation of Christine Blasey Ford’s accusation that Kavanaugh held her down and tried to disrobe her when they were teenagers.
This report contains material from Bloomberg News.
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