Brett Kavanaugh could be hearing his first oral arguments as a Supreme Court justice on Tuesday
by Philip Klein
| October 04, 2018 01:36 PM
If Brett Kavanaugh is confirmed to the Supreme Court on Saturday, he could be hearing his first oral arguments as a sitting justice next Tuesday.
While confirmation is far from assured after several tumultuous weeks in which he has had to fend off multiple accusations of sexual misconduct and general boorishness in his youth, the prospects are good that he will be on the bench by next week.
On Thursday, senators have been looking at an FBI report based on a supplementary background investigation into Kavanaugh, and all indications are that it failed produce any damning evidence that would corroborate Christine Blasey Ford's charge that he sexually assaulted her as a teenager. Democrats have already moved on to attacking the White House for restricting a deeper investigation. Most importantly, Republican swing votes on the nomination, Sens. Jeff Flake and Susan Collins, have not been on board with the Democrats. Flake said the report offered "no additional" corroboration and Collins described the report as " very thorough." Collins has not indicated how she will vote, so the outcome is not automatic.
McConnell has teed up a series of votes culminating with a final vote on confirmation on Saturday. If that succeeds, all that needs to happen is for Kavanaugh to be sworn in, and he can start participating in cases. As an example, last year Justice Neil Gorsuch was confirmed by the Senate on Friday, April 7, and was sworn in the following Monday, April 10.
Due to the Columbus Day holiday on Monday, the Supreme Court will next meet to hear arguments next Tuesday, Oct. 9.
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https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/brett-kavanaugh-could-be-hearing-oral-arguments-as-a-supreme-court-justice-on-tuesday
