Where Things Stand

Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court was approved yesterday on a strictly party-line vote yesterday, with all Republicans voting in favor and all Democrats voting against. A committee vote like this isn't really an issue, because it's not a final vote.

Before the manner progressed further than that, two Republican Senators informed the Senate Majority Leader that they would vote "no" on the floor of the Senate unless the FBI was first given a week to investigate sexual assault accusations against Kavanaugh. Several other Republican Senators have since joined with the two.

I think this was a good compromise. Within a week, the FBI should be able to get a good handle on the issue. The rest of the Republicans in the Senate are going along with this, because they have no choice, but at least the matter will not be rushed to a final vote without some investigation. Donald Trump, who nominated Kavanaugh, said he agreed, too, but who really knows with him. What he wants doesn't really matter because the nomination is out of his hands now.

So we wait to see what happens. And in the meantime, we contact our Senators and urge a "no" vote. The Republicans are probably a lost cause now, except for a few, but it's important that Democrats stand united against Kavanaugh.

If two Republican Senators vote "no" and all the Democrats do, too, then the nomination will fail. Trump will not have enough time before the midterms to see another nominee through the confirmation process, and Democrats could possibly flip the Senate in early November.

So the matter is a cliffhanger for now. Stay tuned.