BREAKING: Murkowski a NO

In a surprise move, Senator Lisa Murkowski voted AGAINST a motion to move the Kavanaugh nomination forward for a vote. This vote likely signals opposition to the nomination. 

Breaking —> Murkowski, in a very quiet voice, votes no on cloture

— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) October 5, 2018

The motion carried 51-49 with Murkowski joining the Democrats, and Joe Manchin (D-WV) joining the Republicans to move the nomination forward.

Cloture is a procedural vote to override debate and move forward with the confirmation vote. However Murkoswki later clarified that she does plan to oppose the Judge in Saturday’s confirmation vote. 

Washington Times reports:

The Alaska Republican told reporters she hadn’t made up her mind about how she would vote until she entered the chamber Friday morning, and had been wrestling with evaluating Judge Kavanaugh based on his qualifications and the swirling allegations of sexual assault.

“I believe we are dealing with issues right now that are bigger than a nominee in how we assure that our institutions — not only the legislative branch but the judicial branch — continue to be respected,” Ms. Murkowski said.

“I took the very, very difficult vote that I did. I believe Brett Kavanaugh is a good man. I believe he is a good man. It just might be, in my view, he is not the right man for the court at this time,” she added.​