Kavanaugh gains key GOP senator ahead of crucial vote

Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh gained the support of a key Republican senator Friday, virtually ensuring his nomination will advance to the full Senate a day after he adamantly denied the high-school-years sexual assault of a woman who testified she was "100 per cent" he was guilty.

The vote by the Senate Judiciary Committee was set for 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Republican Chairman Chuck Grassley announced as the panel gaveled to order.

Emotions running high, several Democratic senators walked out for a time in protest.

Moments before the panel convened, Arizona Sen Jeff Flake of Arizona, a member of the committee, announced he would vote to confirm Kavanaugh.

He said the judge was entitled to the "presumption of innocence ... absent corroborating evidence."
"I will vote to confirm Judge Kavanaugh."
"In the interest of getting as much information as possible, I believe the allegations should be investigated by the FBI."
Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont said it was as if Judge had "effectively nailed a do not disturb sign, and apparently the Republicans on this committee are satisfied."
White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders dismissed that Friday, telling reporters that Kavanaugh has already "been through six separate background investigations by the FBI."
Late Thursday, the magazine of the Jesuit religious order in the United States withdrew its endorsement of Kavanaugh, saying the nomination was no longer in the interests of the country and "should be withdrawn."
"Were he to be confirmed without this allegation being firmly disproved, it would hang over his future decisions on the Supreme Court for decades and further divide the country."