The Latest: Cloture vote 51 Republicans, 49 Democrats

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Hillsboro Globe Reporter – Associated Press News Updates|October 5, 2018

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The U.S. Supreme Court is seen at near sunset in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh (all times local):

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CLOTURE – When the Senate votes to limit debate, it’s called invoking cloture. Invoking cloture is what schedules a final vote on a bill or nomination. Failing to invoke cloture means the debate keeps running endlessly.

1 p.m.Sen. Steve Daines says he’ll return to Washington D.C. by private jet on his daughter’s wedding day if his vote is needed to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.The Montana Republican said in a statement to The Associated Press that his Republican colleague, Montana congressman Greg Gianforte, “has come to save the day” by offering him use of his private jet.

Daines’ daughter is getting married in Montana on Saturday, when the Senate is expected to hold a final vote on Kavanaugh.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., arrives at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Oct. 4, 2018, before the final push to confirm Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

A spokeswoman for Daines said he will walk his daughter down the aisle, and Republicans can hold the vote open if they need him.

There are 51 votes required for confirmation. Republicans hold a slim 51-49 majority. Vice President Mike Pence could break a tie.

The Senate on Friday voted to advance Kavanaugh’s nomination. A final vote is expected on Saturday afternoon.

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12:35 p.m.

Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski is strongly suggesting she will vote no on Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court.

The Alaskan told reporters Friday it’s time to think “about the credibility and integrity of our institutions.”

Murkowski was the lone Republican to vote against advancing Kavanaugh’s nomination on Friday. She’s one of two Senate Republicans — along with Susan Collins of Maine — who support abortion rights.

Kavanaugh could tip the court’s balance toward conservatives for a generation.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks to members of the media after a vote to advance Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court, on Capitol Hill, Friday, Oct. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Murkowski’s spokeswoman could not immediately confirm she will oppose Kavanaugh on the final vote but indicated it appeared that way.

Murkowski is fiercely independent senator known for bucking her party. She acknowledged she’s made “some interesting” votes in her political career.

12:20 p.m.

Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake said he will vote to confirm Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh “unless something big changes.”

But Flake added that he doesn’t expect anything to change. He was one of a handful of senators who hadn’t said how he would vote on Kavanaugh.

He said it was a hard decision and “a difficult decision for everybody.”

Flake predicted that Kavanaugh will be confirmed when the Senate votes on Saturday.

Last week Flake forced his fellow Republicans to order an expanded FBI investigation on sexual misconduct allegations against Kavanaugh. Flake and other senators read that confidential FBI report Thursday. Republicans said it showed that the allegations weren’t corroborated.

Kavanaugh has denied the allegations.