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Saturday 8 September 2018

Senate concludes Kavanaugh hearing; confirmation likely

By JESSICA GRESKO a "fair-minded and inde-
Associated Press pendent jurist." A number
WASHINGTON (AP) — After praised his concerted ef-
two marathon days ques- forts to hire as law clerks
tioning Supreme Court both minorities and wom-
nominee Brett Kavanaugh, en.
senators concluded his Senate Democrats had
confirmation hearing Friday worked into the night Thurs-
by listening to others talk day on Kavanaugh's final
about him — friends stress- day of questioning in a last,
ing his fairness and warmth ferocious attempt to paint
but opponents warning him as a foe of abortion
he'd roll back abortion rights and a likely defender
rights and shield President of President Donald Trump.
Donald Trump. But the 53-year-old appel-
One of the Democrats' star late judge stuck to a well-
witnesses was John Dean, rehearsed script through-
Richard Nixon's White House out his testimony, providing
counsel who cooperated only glimpses of his judicial
with prosecutors during the stances while avoiding any
Watergate investigation. serious mistakes that might
He told lawmakers that the From left, Monica Mastel, John Dean, and Paul Clement, are sworn in before the Senate Judi- jeopardize his confirmation.
high court with Kavanaugh ciary Committee during the final stage of the confirmation hearing for President Donald Trump's On Friday, Democratic wit-
on it would be "the most Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Sept. 7, 2018. nesses expressed concern
presidential powers-friendly Associated Press about Kavanaugh's record
court in the modern era." on a range of issues includ-
Senators on the Judiciary term, Oct. 1. president can be forced to 1973 Roe v. Wade decision ing affirmative action, the
Committee are likely to With special counsel Rob- testify. Kavanaugh, like pre- establishing a constitution- rights of people with disabil-
vote on Kavanaugh's con- ert Mueller deep into his in- vious nominees, declined al right to abortion. Senate ities, access to birth control
firmation on Sept. 20 with a vestigation of Russia's med- to answer hypothetical Democrats, in the minority and abortion. Democratic
vote by the full Senate the dling in the 2016 election, questions that might come 51-49, hope to appeal to witnesses also included a
following week. committee Democrats ex- before him as a justice. two Republican senators student who survived the
Republicans hope to con- pressed concerns through- Trump, campaigning in Far- who support abortion rights school shooting in Park-
firm the judge, who would out the weeklong hearing go, North Dakota, said the to break from their party land, Florida, and Rochelle
nudge the high court fur- that Kavanaugh would Democrats had made fools and vote against Kavana- Garza, the legal guardian
ther to the right, in time for side with Trump on ques- of themselves and crowed ugh. for a pregnant immigrant
the first day of court's new tions such as whether a that he was looking forward On Friday, New York Uni- teenager whose quest for
to running against "one versity law professor Melissa an abortion Kavanaugh
of those people" in 2020. Murray told lawmakers that would have delayed last
Committee members Cory Kavanaugh would provide year.
Booker of New Jersey and the "necessary fifth vote Yale law school professor
Kamala Harris of California that would utterly eviscer- Akhil Reed Amar, a liberal
are among the Democrats ate" Roe v. Wade. testifying in support of Ka-
considered possible candi- On the Republican side, vanaugh, had a message
dates in the next presiden- witnesses testifying in sup- for Democratic senators:
tial campaign. port of Kavanaugh includ- "Don't be mad. He's smart.
Abortion was another main ed longtime friends and for- Be careful what you wish
focus throughout the hear- mer law clerks. They talked for. Our party controls nei-
ing, with Democrats por- about his intelligence and ther the White House nor
traying Kavanaugh as a open-mindedness, calling the Senate. If you torpedo
judge who might vote to him "thoughtful," ''humble," Kavanaugh you'll likely end
undercut or overturn the ''wonderfully warm" and up with someone worse."q