MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Kavanaugh sworn to the Supreme Court; another victory for Trump and his conservative stance
The Senate backed Kavanaugh nomination 50 to 48 after a bitter battle to stave off claims of sexual assault and an 11th hour investigation by the FBI 
The confirmation hands Mr. Trump a political victory ahead of key mid-term elections in November 
During the vote, protesters shouted “shame” from the public gallery and Vice-President Mike Pence had to call for order to be restored. 
Mr Kavanaugh's appointment is for life and he will strengthen conservative control of the nine-judge court, which has the final say on US law President Donald Trump's controversial nominee for the Supreme Court, Brett Kavanaugh, has been sworn in following weeks of rancorous debate. The Senate earlier backed his nomination by 50 votes to 48.
Mr. Kavanaugh had been embroiled in a bitter battle to stave off claims of sexual assault, which he denies, but after an 11th hour investigation by the FBI into the allegations, enough wavering senators decided to support the nomination.
His confirmation hands Mr Trump a political victory ahead of key mid-term elections in November. Ahead of the vote, hundreds of people protested against Mr Kavanaugh's nomination at the US Capitol in Washington.
During the vote, other protesters shouted “shame” from the public gallery and Vice-President Mike Pence had to call for order to be restored.
Mr Kavanaugh's appointment is for life and he will strengthen conservative control of the nine-judge court, which has the final say on US law.
The 53 year old was sworn in on Saturday evening in a private ceremony at the Supreme Court. Chief Justice John Roberts administered the constitutional oath and retired justice Anthony Kennedy - whom Mr Kavanaugh is replacing - administered the judicial oath.
Protesters had gathered outside the court and at one point some ran up the steps and banged on its ornate doors. Other demonstrators climbed on the nearby statue of justice.
President Trump sent out a tweet of congratulations and later spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One, saying Mr Kavanaugh had withstood a “horrible attack by the Democrats” and that women were “outraged” at what had happened to the nominee.
Mr Trump also said he was “100% certain” that the woman who had accused Mr Kavanaugh of sexual assault, Christine Blasey Ford, had named the wrong person.
The Senate is split 51-49 in favor of the Republicans and the vote was largely along party lines. In the end, there was indeed a two-vote margin, the closest nomination vote since 1881.
The only party dissenters were Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski, who had intended to vote no, and Democrat Joe Manchin, who voted yes.
That should have meant a 51-49 tally, but the absence of Republican Steve Daines, a yes vote who was at his daughter's wedding, altered the final figures.
Ms Murkowski opted instead to simply mark herself as “present”, leaving the final vote 50-48.
All eyes will now be on November's mid-term elections. Mr. Trump will be able to campaign on the back of an important victory, but commentators will be watching closely how the Kavanaugh affair affects women voters.
Top Comments
Disclaimer & comment rules-
-
-
Read all commentsJack Bauer
Oct 10th, 2018 - 06:38 pm +3I have two books in my office written by P. J. O’Rourke. He's hilarious!
It's interesting that Terrence and the most Antisemite politicians are actually on the left. It's also strange that he'd accuse conservatives when we see repeatedly it's actually the left that politically promote the forces focused on annihilating the Jewish people. Terrence also finds nothing wrong with the historical criminal murder of millions of peasants by his ideological Marxist heros.
Is it possible to explain to the simpleton that Communists like Lula, Allende, Castro, Maduro and their fellow comrades have brought nothing but misery to the poverty stricken Latinos he seems to sympathize with?
He also strongly rejects the fundamental right of Democratic countries to determine their destiny in free and open elections?
Maybe he needs to watch the video by Candace Owens... https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iD0CYKK_mMo
But when Terence Hill says liberals are genetically superior, that is not racism.
Oct 08th, 2018 - 02:51 pm +2en.mercopress.com/2018/08/18/un-human-rights-committee-asks-lula-be-allowed-to-exercise-political-rights/comments
en.mercopress.com/2018/08/21/brazilian-election-increasingly-polarized-lula-s-support-increases-and-so-does-far-right-bolsonaro/comments
en.mercopress.com/2018/05/26/truckers-strike-crippling-brazil-despite-authorization-to-use-military-force-to-clear-highways/comments
With the latest developments in the USA and in Brazil, looks like Terrykins is on the verge of a heart attack...can already see him on the floor, kicking his two left feet in the air.
Oct 08th, 2018 - 04:26 pm +2Terry, you obviously think you are genetically superior...(to what, I can't imagine, but) what does that make you ? a racist commie, or just an idiot ?
Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!