Posted on 10/05/2018 5:38:59 PM PDT by yesthatjallen
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said Friday evening that she opposed Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination, becoming the only Republican senator to come out against President Trump's nominee.
"I will be a no tomorrow," Murkowski said in a speech on the Senate floor after describing how she had come to lean against voting to confirm Trump's second nominee to the high court in a final vote on Saturday.
But Murkowski said that in the final tally she would ask that her vote be recorded as "present," saying she was doing it as a courtesy to Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), who is slated to attend his daughter's wedding back home on Saturday.
"I do this because a friend, a colleague of ours is in Montana this evening and ... he's going to be walking his daughter down the aisle and he won't be present to vote," Murkowski said. "I have extended this as a courtesy to my friend. It will not change the outcome of the vote."
Murkowski, who voted against ending debate on Kavanaugh earlier in the day Friday, said during her speech on the Senate floor that she "was leaning toward supporting Judge Kavanaugh in his nomination."
"But we know that in our role of advice and consent, it is not just the record itself. There is more that is attached to it," she added, mentioning "matters of temperament" and "demeanor."
Murkowski announced her decision hours after it became clear that Kavanaugh had enough votes to be confirmed.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) announced during her own speech on the Senate floor earlier Friday that she would back his nomination ahead of a final vote set for Saturday afternoon.
Collins's support gave Republicans the necessary 50 votes to allow Vice President Pence to cast a tie-breaking vote if necessary. Collins was soon joined by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), who said he would vote for Kavanaugh, giving him the support of 51 senators.
Murkowski said Friday night that she agreed with many of Collins's comments defending Kavanaugh, saying she didn't think he would vote to overturn Roe v. Wade or represented a threat to protections for people with preexisting conditions.
But she indicated that her confidence in his nomination was not high enough to bring herself to voting for him, given controversy swirling around allegations of sexual assault leveled against the nominee.
The Alaska senator acknowledged that it appeared that Kavanaugh would be seated on the Supreme Court "without my vote."
Murkowski pointed to Kavanaugh's combative testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee last week, saying "that appearance of impropriety has become unavoidable."
She called the bitter nomination process for Kavanaugh "horrible" and "gut-wrenching," saying it had left "good people ... needlessly hurt."
Looks like a screenshot from a lesbian horror flick. Eww
His pay should be docked and he needs to be kicked off every committee he serves on.
Be careful with statements like that. Maybe all should pay a little more attention before voting for our leaders.
“’I have extended this as a courtesy to my friend.’”
“WHAT courtesy???”
“How is this different than a no vote?”
Sen. Steve Daines is a Republican senator from Montana who is a “yes” on Kavanaugh. But his daughter’s wedding is tomorrow.
A lot of FReepers have been giving this guy hell for announcing he had to be at the wedding. Come on, does anyone here not comprehend that wedding can cost a fortune and you can not simply change the time, date, and location? People often fly in, book hotels, have tight schedules.
It is very reasonable for Daines to seek accommodation for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. He had no way of knowing a year or two earlier that his daughter’s wedding would happen to be on the day of a vote that will change the course of history. In fact, this will make his daughter and son-in-law’s anniversary that much more memorable. They’ll probably name their first son Brett.
Anyway, an agreement was reached in which his absence would not impact the outcome of the vote. It gives Murkowski a little cover for her breaking with the party. I’m not prepared to cut her any slack, but Daines is on the right side and can celebrate with the rest of us patriotic, pro-life Americans.
To clarify on the technical aspects of this agreement: Murkowski is a “no” vote. Daines is a “yes” vote. He will be absent, but Murkowski will change her vote to “present” which will have the same overall impact as if Daines were there to cast his “yes” vote.
why was it reported Daines would be voting?
For passage the majority of senators PRESENT must vote for a bill or nominee. A vote could be 50-49 with one voting present and not pass.
Whatever, b-i-itch. We don’t need you.
2020 and Palin are looming large in your rear view mirror.
Do you see them?
Another Freeper noted the other day soldiers all over the world are missing birthdays, funerals, etc because they are fulfilling their duty.
Marco Rubio
@marcorubio
3h
Most will never know the full extent of the efforts to intimidate & threaten @SenatorCollins on the #Kavanaugh vote. I am not talking about political pressure or people screaming at her in an elevator. I am talking about vicious, vile & dangerous actions. She is legit.
Dropping this tweet here in case anyone missed it. This is upsetting. I can’t fathom the pressure on our guys, particularly Collins.
A no vote would add to the Dems. Present at least dosen’t add to their total.
—-
Exactly and Pence is not needed
Dainese will not be absent...Trump Jr said so
Don’t trust her.
Those who have pressured - either politically or threatening of vile or vicious acts - should be exposed and charges brought forward.
Lisa Murkowski Should ‘Pair No’ with Steve Daines’s ‘Paired Yes’
I think this whole thing has been very enlightening for many.
This is a game changer.
The masks have come off.
I’m a little concerned about this Daines situation. I don’t trust Murkowski nor Manchin. If they take the vote w/o Daines present, Murkowski/Manchin could team up to stab us in the back.
I hope you are right. Just a 3 or 4 point bump from this crap should give us a 3 seat gain, and put Murkowski on the back bench.
Yeah. Remember Manchin was a yes on the tax cuts and then switched his vote at the last minute.
Daines, Do your job.
Only cowards vote ‘present’!
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