Joe Manchin Affirms Cloture for Brett Kavanaugh’s Confirmation

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), a key Democrat swing vote, voted ‘aye’ Friday morning on cloture for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation.

Manchin’s vote comes after the vulnerable incumbent suggested in an interview Thursday that Kavanaugh’s conduct in his adult life will be the most important factor in deciding whether he will vote to approve the judge’s confirmation. “I am looking at the gentleman as an adult from 22 to 53, thirty-one years of professional service,” Manchin told Al-Jazeera. “I am looking at him as a father. As a person in a community, how he interacts with his community. I am trying to put the human side to it.”

Along with Manchin, Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) voted yes, while Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) was a no.

Shortly before 11:00 a.m., Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court passed 51-49. In a laudatory tweet, President Donald Trump praised the Senate for supporting his Supreme Court pick during the procedural vote. “Very proud of the U.S. Senate for voting “YES” to advance the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh!” the president wrote.

The vote to move Kavanaugh’s confirmation forward sets the stage for a the final vote to take place on Saturday.