Call the roll. A procedural vote to end debate on President Trump's nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court will take place at 10:30 a.m. The Hill: Bitter partisan battle over Kavanaugh enters final chapter. If Kavanaugh passes that procedural hurdle, a final floor vote could take place as soon as Saturday. There's a twist: The Associated Press: Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) will be at his daughter's wedding this weekend whether there's a vote or not. If Daines misses the confirmation vote, than Republicans can't afford any defections if all Democrats vote no. Republicans are publicly expressing confidence, but they don't have the votes yet and the situation is volatile after another chaotic and emotionally draining day on Capitol Hill. Sens. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) remain undecided. Republicans need two of those four to vote yes for Kavanaugh to be confirmed. Writing in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that ran last night, Kavanaugh defended his reputation, but also acknowledged that he said things "I should not have said" in emotional public testimony last week. Kavanaugh: I am an independent, impartial judge. The Washington Post (editorial board): Vote no on Kavanaugh. There appeared to be some positive movement for the GOP on Thursday after lawmakers viewed the supplemental background check the FBI conducted into allegations made by Christine Blasey Ford, who has accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her when the two were in high school in 1982. There doesn't appear to be any new bombshell revelations or smoking gun corroborations of Ford's testimony in the FBI report. Flake and Collins left a briefing on the report signaling they were satisfied with the FBI's work. "It appears to be a very thorough investigation." – Collins "Thus far we've seen no new credible corroboration, no new corroboration at all." – Flake The Hill: Kavanaugh's path to nomination begins to solidify. Murkowski and Manchin, who were hounded on Thursday by reporters and protesters alike, spent several hours meeting with sexual assault survivors but did not give an indication as to how they might vote. In addition to the soul searching, Manchin has political concerns to consider as he seeks reelection in a state Trump carried by more than 40 points in 2016. Manchin is running strong against Republican Patrick Morrisey, but polls show voters in The Mountain State support Kavanaugh's nomination. Another red-state Democrat up for reelection this year, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), announced Thursday that she'd vote against Kavanaugh. That's a massive political gamble for Heitkamp in a state Trump carried by more than 30 points in 2016. Two recent polls show Heitkamp has fallen behind Rep. Kevin Cramer (R) by double digits in her reelection bid. "[The Kavanaugh hearings] proved to be perhaps the greatest political gift I've received in some time." – Cramer The Hill's Reid Wilson has a scoop on that race: "The National Republican Senatorial Committee has canceled some of its advertising buys in North Dakota, a sign of confidence that Cramer has pulled sufficiently ahead of Heitkamp."
Friday's floor action comes after another dramatic day on Capitol Hill.
Protesters swarmed the Hart Senate Office Building. More than 300 people were arrested. And in dozens of cities across the country, anti-Kavanaugh protesters laid in the streets spelling out "stop" with their bodies. The Associated Press: Day of chaos and consequence before vote on Kavanaugh.
The Hill: Scores of Kavanaugh protesters arrested after descending on Senate building. Senators gave passionate speeches for and against Kavanaugh or lamented a breakdown in process in the upper chamber. Furious Democrats accused Republicans of interfering to limit the scope of the FBI's investigation, describing the process as "bullshit" or "a cover-up" or a "sham." 
© Twitter
© Twitter
Republicans claimed that the FBI report cleared Kavanaugh of wrongdoing and fumed over what they described as character assassination of the judge by Democrats and the media. "Our society is not a place where uncorroborated allegations of misconduct from nearly 40 years ago, allegations which are vigorously disputed can nullify someone's career or destroy their reputation. Is that what the Senate is going to be known for?" – Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) "That's a bias that none of you should be proud of." – Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) to reporters
The weekend vote, if it happens, would bring a close to one of the most bitter and polarizing political fights in the modern era. A cloud will hang over Kavanaugh, the Supreme Court and the U.S. Senate for some time. The political ramifications, with the midterm elections one month away, are unknown. Many analysts believe the House majority is a lost cause for Republicans but there is a growing sense on the right that the Kavanaugh saga has energized conservatives and will help Republicans preserve their majority in the Senate. "Look at the polls over the last three or four days and it shows [Democrats'] rage-fueled resistance is starting to backfire at a level that nobody has ever seen before." – Trump at a rally last night in Minnesota McClatchy: Republican enthusiasm surges amid Supreme Court battle. NPR: Poll finds Democratic enthusiasm edge evaporates. Perspectives Katherine Miller: The Kavanaugh situation has opened up a portal in everyone's memory. Sohrab Ahmari: Democratic smears against Kavanaugh have reunited the right. Madeleine Aggeler: The new era of confrontation. Victor Davis Hanson: The polarizing atmosphere of the university has spread to Congress. Margaret Carlson: The male grievance backlash parade. The National Review: Do the right thing, Jeff Flake. Haley Sweetland Edwards: How Ford's testimony changed America. John McCormack: How Flake's one-week delay helped clear Kavanaugh's name. Former Justice John Paul Stevens: Kavanaugh does not belong on the court. Bret Stephens: For once, I'm grateful for Trump. | 
