--- title: Brett Kavanaugh Votes: What We Know, and What We Don't description: A small group of Senators remain undecided and could swing the confirmation canonical: https://time.com/5409964/brett-kavanaugh-senators-votes/ author: Abigail Abrams article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2018-09-28T17:45:55.000Z article:modified_time: 2023-12-12T17:19:46.000Z article:section: Politics og:title: Your Guide to the Key Senators' Votes on Kavanaugh's Nomination og:description: A small group of Senators remain undecided and could swing the confirmation og:url: https://time.com/5409964/brett-kavanaugh-senators-votes/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt36523f9d521d221e/69893b6f8fd2eebfdf35cbd4/brett-kavanaugh-supreme-court-confirmation-votes.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 4677 og:image:height: 2631 og:image:alt: Dr. Christine Blasey Ford And Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh Testify To Senate Judiciary Committee og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Your Guide to the Key Senators' Votes on Kavanaugh's Nomination twitter:description: A small group of Senators remain undecided and could swing the confirmation twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt36523f9d521d221e/69893b6f8fd2eebfdf35cbd4/brett-kavanaugh-supreme-court-confirmation-votes.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Your Ultimate Guide to the Key Senators' Votes on Brett Kavanaugh's Nomination > Sponsored content. 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It explains the politics, personalities and power dynamics behind the headlines, twice a week. #### Where can I get analysis of Washington politics by email? D.C. Brief is TIME's free Washington politics newsletter, available at time.com/newsletters. It is written by a TIME senior correspondent who covers the capital full time. #### Who writes TIME's D.C. Brief? Philip Elliott, a senior correspondent at TIME, writes D.C. Brief. #### Is D.C. Brief free? Yes. D.C. Brief is free at time.com/newsletters. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3/newsletters?i=4135c38a-064a-4c8e-b045-a4d0e4552f36&cr=time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3-v1) ## Video: Protestors Confront Sen. Jeff Flake After He Announces He Will Vote to Confirm Kavanaugh [Watch (HLS stream): Protestors Confront Sen. Jeff Flake After He Announces He Will Vote to Confirm Kavanaugh](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/wZewlFbI.m3u8) (4:35)  _Published 2018-09-28. Protestors Confront Sen. Jeff Flake After He Announces He Will Vote to Confirm Kavanaugh_ by [Abigail Abrams](https://time.com/author/abigail-abrams/) ## Abigail Abrams Updated: Dec 12, 2023 5:19 PM UTCPublished: Sep 28, 2018 5:45 PM UTC Protestors Confront Sen. Jeff Flake After He Announces He Will Vote to Confirm Kavanaugh by [Abigail Abrams](https://time.com/author/abigail-abrams/) ## Abigail Abrams Updated: Dec 12, 2023 5:19 PM UTCPublished: Sep 28, 2018 5:45 PM UTC Republicans are pushing to quickly confirm Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh after a full day of testimony from Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford, who has accused the judge of sexually assaulting her when the two were in high school. Kavanaugh denies the allegation. It appears that the GOP may not yet have the necessary 50 Senators to confirm Kavanaugh, and a small group of Senators remain undecided. But Republican leaders have appeared confident and said they would move forward with the process. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted Friday afternoon to bring Kavanaugh’s nomination to the full Senate floor after Arizona Republican Sen. Jeff Flake made a dramatic shift in his position, first saying he would support Kavanaugh’s nomination, and then saying he could only support the nomination pending an FBI investigation. Flake voted for Kavanaugh’s confirmation to go to the Senate floor on the condition that the full vote could be delayed a week to allow the FBI to investigate Ford’s allegations. Shortly after Flake and the rest of the Senate Judiciary Committee voted on Friday, Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joined Flake’s request for a delay. This request will now need to go to President Donald Trump, who has the authority to order an FBI investigation, and to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who controls the floor procedures. Here are the key Senators whose decisions could make or break Kavanaugh’s confirmation. ## **Republican Sen. Susan Collins (Maine)** Collins is one of a few moderate Republicans who has remained undecided about Kavanaugh. She supports abortion rights, so many have viewed her as a potential obstacle for the nominee. But after meeting with Kavanaugh over the summer, Collins said [she was confident](https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/sen-susan-collins-said-kavanaugh-sees-roe-v-wade-as-settled-law/2018/08/21/214ae5dc-a54c-11e8-8fac-12e98c13528d%5Fstory.html?utm%5Fterm=.bf35fa97d7f2) he viewed the _Roe v. Wade_ abortion decision as “settled law.” Collins was seen meeting with Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Flake and Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin after Kavanaugh’s hearing on Thursday. But she has kept her views quiet this week and has not said how she will ultimately vote. ## **Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska)** Like Collins, Murkowski has been one of the most-watched swing votes. She joined Flake on Friday in calling for a delay of the vote to confirm Kavanaugh pending a limited FBI investigation. But even before the sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh, Murkowski was also under pressure from constituents who had concerns about Kavanaugh’s view of Alaska natives’ rights. The [Alaska Federation of Natives](https://mailchi.mp/nativefederation/afn-2018-convention-resolutions-packet-2179477?e=89277eab4d), a large statewide organization that has backed Murkowski in the past, said earlier this month it “strongly” opposes Kavanaugh because of his “views on the rights of Native peoples.” But since the allegations against Kavanaugh have come out, Murkowski has also said they must be taken seriously. “We are now in a place where it’s not about whether or not Judge Kavanaugh is qualified,” she told [The New York _Times_](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/25/us/politics/lisa-murkowski-brett-kavanaugh.html) on Monday. “It is about whether or not a woman who has been a victim at some point in her life is to be believed.” ## **Republican Sen. Jeff Flake (Arizona)** The retiring Senator is another key name on this list. He went through several changes on Friday as he first released a statement Friday morning saying that he would vote to confirm Kavanaugh, and then after looking agonized throughout the morning Senate Judiciary Committee meeting, came back in the afternoon to say that he would only vote to send Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Senate floor if the FBI could conduct an investigation this coming week. “I think it would be proper to delay the floor vote for up to but not more than one week in order to let the FBI do an investigation, limited in time and scope to the current allegations,” Flake said during the afternoon meeting. “And I will vote to advance the bill to the floor with that understanding.” Shortly after releasing his initial decision on Friday morning, Flake was [confronted by two women](http://time.com/5409734/jeff-flake-vote-confirm-kavanaugh/) who said they were sexual assault survivors. They said his vote was “telling all women that they don’t matter” and demanded he look at them. He appeared visibly uncomfortable and quickly went into the Senate Judiciary Committee meeting. ## **Republican Sen. Bob Corker (Tennessee)** Corker, who has previously been critical of President Donald Trump, also went from a swing vote to a supportive vote for Kavanaugh after Thursday’s hearing. “While both individuals provided compelling testimony, nothing that has been presented corroborates the allegation,” Corker said in a statement. “There is no question that Judge Kavanaugh is qualified to serve on the Supreme Court, and in a different political environment, he would be confirmed overwhelmingly.” > [](https://twitter.com/senbobcorker/status/1045475440528412678) ## **Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin (West Virginia)** Manchin, who is up for re-election in a state that President Trump won by 42 percentage points, is one of a group of red state Democrats who have had trouble making up their minds on Kavanaugh. He was undecided about his vote after Thursday’s hearings, but on Friday said he would support Flake’s call for a delayed vote and an FBI investigation. “I applaud Senator Flake’s decision to rise above the partisan circus on display during this entire process. It took courage to take a stand and call for a one-week FBI investigation to get to the bottom of the allegations against Judge Kavanaugh,” Manchin said in a statement. “It is what is right and fair for Dr. Ford, Judge Kavanaugh and the American people.” > [](https://twitter.com/Sen%5FJoeManchin/status/1045747647968153600) ## **Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly (Indiana)** Donnelly is another Democrat in a similar position to Manchin — up for election this November in a red state. However, Donnelly announced Friday morning that he would vote no on Kavanaugh. “I have deep reservations about Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination to this lifetime position and, as I stated, we have been unable to get all the information necessary regarding this nomination, despite my best efforts,” he said in a statement. “While I would gladly welcome the opportunity to work with President Trump on a new nominee for this critically important position, if Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination comes before the full Senate for a vote under these circumstances, I will oppose it.” > [](https://twitter.com/SenDonnelly/status/1045698329974386689) ## **Democratic Sen. Jon Tester (Montana)** Tester, also representing a red state, had said that the allegations against Kavanaugh were one of several issues he wanted to look at about the nominee. He also released a statement on Friday saying he would not vote to confirm Kavanaugh. “I have concerns that Judge Kavanaugh defended the PATRIOT Act instead of Montanans’ privacy,” the Senator said in a statement. “I have concerns about his support for more dark money in politics. I have concerns about who he believes is in charge of making personal health decisions. And I have deep concerns about the allegations of sexual assault against Judge Kavanaugh. Unfortunately, Judge Kavanaugh couldn’t find time to discuss these concerns with me in person, so the only information I have is from what he said in his hearings. I’ll be voting against him.” > [](https://twitter.com/SenatorTester/status/1045714692524699649) ## **Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (North Dakota)** Heitkamp faces one of 2018’s most challenging re-election campaigns and is one of the few Democrats who previously voted for Gorsuch. When the allegations about Kavanaugh surfaced, she said they should be “thoroughly investigated.” “It takes courage for any woman to speak up about sexual assault, and we need to respect Prof. Ford by listening to her and hearing her story,” the Senator said on Sept. 17. > [](https://twitter.com/SenatorHeitkamp/status/1041715724857823235) Since the Thursday hearing, she has been quiet about her views and her vote remained unclear as of Friday. ## Transcript [00:00] Senator why did you vote yes, Senator tell us [00:08] why you changed your mind. Senator. Senator? Senator [00:08] Frank. But why did you vote yes, I understand [00:10] [ CROSSTALK ] On Monday I stood in front of your office [00:14] On Monday, I stood in front of your office with Annie [00:18] [ INAUDIBLE ]. I told the story of my sexual assault. I told it [00:22] because I recognized Dr. Ford's story that she's telling the [00:26] truth. What you are doing is allowing someone who [00:29] actually violated a woman to sit in the Supreme Court. This [00:33] is not tolerable. You have Children in your family. Think [00:37] about them. I have two children. [00:42] I cannot imagine, that for the next 50 years they will have to [00:43] have someone in the Supreme Court who has been [00:43] accused of violating a young [00:48] girl. What are you [00:53] doing sir? I was sexually assaulted and nobody believed. [00:57] Believe me. I didn't tell anyone, and you're telling all [01:01] women that they don't matter, that they should just stay [01:03] quiet because if they tell you what happened to them, [01:04] you're going to ignore them. That's what happened to me, [01:09] and that's what your telling all women in America, that they [01:11] don't matter, they should just keep it to themselves [01:11] because if they have told the truth they're just gonna help [01:11] that man to power anyway. That's what you're telling all of [01:11] these women, that's what you're telling me right now. Look [01:11] at me when I'm talking to you, you're telling me that my [01:11] assault doesn't matter, that what happened to me doesn't [01:11] matter, and that you're gonna let people who do these [01:12] things into power. That's what you're telling me when you [01:12] vote for him. [ NOISE ] Don't look away from me, look at me [01:12] and tell me that it doesn't matter what happened to me. [01:13] That you let people like that go into the highest court of the [01:13] land and tell everyone what they can do to their bodies. Do [01:13] you have an answer, senator? Senator Flake, do you think [01:13] that Brett Kavanaugh is telling the truth? Do you think that [01:13] he's able to hold the pain of this country and repair it? That [01:13] is the work of justice. The way that justice work is you [01:13] recognize heart. You take responsibility for it. And then you [01:13] begin to repair it. You're allowing someone who is [01:13] unwilling to take responsibility for For his. And actions. I'm [01:13] willing to hear the crime that he has done to one [01:17] woman. Actually three women. [01:22] And prepare. You are [01:26] our [ UNKNOWN ] who is [01:31] unwilling to take responsibility [01:35] for his own actions. [01:39] Willing to sit in [01:44] the higher court of [01:48] the country. And to [01:52] have the role of repairing the [02:02] harm that has been done In [02:06] this country to many people. [02:11] No thank you. What do [02:16] you think? [ CROSSTALK ] Ma'am do [02:21] you wanna talk to his [02:26] staff? No, I wanna talk [02:31] to him? Care to respond? [02:36] I am your staff but tell me, I'm standing right here in front of [02:37] you. What do you have? Do you think that he's telling the [02:38] truth? Do it now. Do you think that he's telling the truth to [02:39] the country? Thank you. You empower and so many [02:40] women are powerless. Thank you. [ INAUDIBLE ] And [02:41] even [ INAUDIBLE ] I'd be happy to talk to you. Can you not [02:42] give him an answer Senator? We have our press available [02:42] to talk to them. You just [03:14] released a press statement, you don't have the courage to [03:16] give them an answer. Okay thank you, thank you. Thank [03:16] you is not an answer Senator. Thank you. Saying thank [03:20] you is not an answer. [ INAUDIBLE ] it's about the future of [03:21] our country, sir. You can be a hero today. [ INAUDIBLE ] to [03:22] a lifetime appointment in the supreme court. That's fine, find [03:22] security. Be a hero. Senator, why not? You can be a hero [03:23] [ INAUDIBLE ] Senator, why now? Why not wait? Why not [03:24] wait for the investigation? There's no hon. How can you [03:25] [ UNKNOWN ] to us, we demand to know what you're [03:26] thinking? Do you [ CROSSTALK ] women? Do you stand [03:26] with this nation with reserved due process? Senator, do [03:27] you want to respond? No I don't. Senator do [03:36] you care to respond? No I didnt go to the hearing, I just [03:36] issued a statement. You sent an email, [03:54] you can't [04:00] give [04:07] an answer? You can't give an answer?- a lot of questions [04:12] here. Do these women not deserve an answer? [04:12] [ UNKNOWN ] Thank you. Do what is right. Do what is [04:13] [ UNKNOWN ]. Stand up for your constituents, [04:21] all of them. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/5409964/brett-kavanaugh-senators-votes/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/5409964/brett-kavanaugh-senators-votes/"},"headline":"Your Ultimate Guide to the Key Senators' Votes on Brett Kavanaugh's Nomination","datePublished":"2018-09-28T17:45:55.000Z","dateModified":"2023-12-12T17:19:46.000Z","description":"A small group of Senators remain undecided and could swing the confirmation","url":"https://time.com/5409964/brett-kavanaugh-senators-votes/","keywords":["Supreme Court","Senate"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt36523f9d521d221e/69893b6f8fd2eebfdf35cbd4/brett-kavanaugh-supreme-court-confirmation-votes.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Abigail Abrams","jobTitle":"","url":"https://time.com/author/abigail-abrams/"}],"articleSection":"Politics","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt36523f9d521d221e/69893b6f8fd2eebfdf35cbd4/brett-kavanaugh-supreme-court-confirmation-votes.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Dr. Christine Blasey Ford And Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh Testify To Senate Judiciary Committee","caption":"Dr. Christine Blasey Ford And Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh Testify To Senate Judiciary Committee","creditText":"Jim Bourg/Pool—Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/politics/","name":"Politics"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/supreme-court/","name":"Supreme Court"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/5409964/brett-kavanaugh-senators-votes/","name":"Your Ultimate Guide to the Key Senators' Votes on Brett Kavanaugh's Nomination"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Protestors Confront Sen. 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