Vote on Kavanaugh could come Saturday, confirmation expected

Latest support virtually ensures Kavanaugh's confirmation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. Susan Collins of Maine announced Friday on the Senate floor that she will vote yes to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. 

According to NBC, Collins was the last undecided Republican vote on Kavanaugh. Her announcement to support Kavanaugh virtually ensures his confirmation when the Senate holds the final vote Saturday. 

During her speech, Collins forcefully defended her decision, saying Kavanaugh was well-qualified, that the Senate confirmation process "is not a trial" and that she "cannot abandon" the "presumption of innocence."

Just minutes after Collins voiced her support, Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia released a statement saying that he will also back President Donald Trump's pick. He is the only Democrat to do so. 

With the support of both Collins and Manchin, it appears that there will be 51 votes in favor of Kavanaugh's nomination. 

Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska is the only Republican expected to vote against Kavanaugh. 

Kavanaugh's confirmation was thrown into doubt after a tense Senate Judiciary Committee hearing last week, in which Christine Blasey Ford alleged the Supreme Court nominee had sexually assaulted her when they were in high school in the 1980s. Kavanaugh has denied the allegations against him.

Kavanaugh's confirmation vote is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.