Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said on Friday that she would vote for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, all but ensuring that he will be the next member of the Supreme Court.
With Collins’ decision to vote for Kavanaugh—who Dr. Christine Blasey Ford says sexually assaulted her when they were in high school—it ensures that Republicans will have the necessary votes to confirm him this weekend.
After Collins spoke Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) said he would vote for Kavanaugh as well.
Collins was seen as one of a few senators who could swing the vote. However, after Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) made their decisions known, the votes of Collins and Manchin came under the microscope.
Before Collins’s speech, numerous protesters shouted for the senator to vote “no.”
After denouncing the process in which Kavanaugh’s nomination process unfolded, Collins made her decision known.
“I do not believe that these charges can fairly prevent Judge Kavanaugh from serving on the court,” she said.
She ended the speech by confirming that she would vote in favor of Kavanaugh.
Sen. Susan Collins: "Mr. President, I will vote to confirm Judge Kavanaugh." pic.twitter.com/iMKOjkHPo4
— Axios (@axios) October 5, 2018
The speech from Collins was not met well online.
Senator Susan Collins chose to be the enemy of all women. #SelloutSusan
— Ana Rios (@analizfeliz) October 5, 2018
Susan Collins deserves the Emmy for playing Aunt Lydia in this season of the Handmaid’s Tale pic.twitter.com/aJ1Sc07J7T
— Michael Tannenbaum (@iamTannenbaum) October 5, 2018
Susan Collins is more upset about this leak than that Blasey Ford was assaulted
— Sara Ackerman 🐺🗽 (@saramikaila) October 5, 2018
Susan Collins, stay where you are, Maine doesn’t want ya. #metoo #kavanaugh pic.twitter.com/UDeTd8aaBh
— Bethany Jane (@b3thanyjane) October 5, 2018
Moderate Republicans will not save you
— Jack Mirkinson (@jackmirkinson) October 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/kmcdonovgh/status/1048295873128665090
Collins just did the "I believe a sexual assault survivor BUT" bit https://t.co/vUTOhhbJjZ
— Tasneem Nashrulla (@TasneemN) October 5, 2018
Others online complained that the senator took a while to announce her intentions. Her speech took over 40 minutes before she announced her decision.
susan collins's speech is longer than the FBI investigation into kavanaugh
— democracy diva (@democracydiva) October 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/lizzieohreally/status/1048289985005330432
https://twitter.com/willrahn/status/1048292325997367297
The full Senate will vote on Kavanaugh tomorrow.
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