Senate Judiciary Committee Set To Vote On Judge Kavanaugh Nomination Today

Following hours of exhausting testimony, Republicans huddled Thursday night to chart the path forward on Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court. Two senators who emerged from the closed-door meeting said the Judiciary Committee will hold a vote Friday as scheduled.

The full Senate could vote as early as Monday.

Republican Senators Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Roger Wicker told reporters the committee vote will go forth as planned on Friday. Judiciary Chairman Senator Chuck Grassley said the committee will convene at 9:30 a.m. Asked if there were enough votes to confirm Kavanaugh, Grassley replied, "I think so."

Kavanaugh is accused of sexually assaulting Dr. Christine Ford when they were teenagers in the 1980s, but whether he gets a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court will come down to the support of a handful of Republican senators.

Democrats rallied around Dr. Ford on Thursday, casting her as a reputable and credible witness.

"Her allegations are powerful and credible and I believe her," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal.

But Republicans continued to sow doubts.

"To my Republican colleagues: If you can ignore everything in this record, look at allegation that's 35 years old, that's uncertain in time, place, date and no corroboration. If that's enough for you, God help us all as Republicans," said Sen. Lindsey Graham.

Graham also questioned whether Ford's attorneys were politically motivated.

"The friends on the other side set it up to be just the way it is. I feel ambushed as the majority," he said.