On August 1, Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA), said that the committee would hold confirmation hearings on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh in September, and that a Senate confirmation vote could take place as early as October 1. See Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley: Brett Kavanaugh Could be Confirmed to Supreme Court by Oct. 1 (USA Today, 8/1/18). Given the expected absence of Senator McCain (R-AZ) due to illness, all of the remaining 50 Republicans must support Kavanaugh in order to confirm him, assuming all Democrats oppose the confirmation. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) was undecided at first but recently announced that he would vote for confirmation. So far, there are no other Republicans who have expressed potential opposition. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) are the only Democrats who voted to confirm earlier Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch. These Senators are up for reelection this year in states that voted for President Trump in 2016. On Monday Judge Kavanaugh met with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), who is concerned about the possibility that the Supreme Court could overturn the ACA to the detriment of people with pre-existing conditions. See Manchin statement on meeting. See also Democrat Manchin Undecided on Kavanaugh after 2-hour Meeting (Washington Post, 7/30/18); Kavanaugh’s Obamacare Rulings under Microscope as He Meets Manchin (CNN, 7/30/18).
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