To confirm Judge Kavanaugh, Mr. McConnell must first set up a procedural vote, known as a cloture motion, which limits further debate. In order to get to that vote, Mr. McConnell must file for cloture and then wait an intervening day before holding the actual cloture vote, which requires a majority to pass. After that, senators would be permitted up to 30 hours of debate before they must cast a final vote on whether to confirm or reject Judge Kavanaugh.
For example, filing for cloture on a Tuesday would likely mean a cloture vote on Thursday, and would set up a final vote on Friday or on Saturday, depending on how much debate time is used and how late senators wish to remain in the chamber.
Mr. McConnell's plans to vote this week are occurring at the same time the FBI has been given a target date of Friday for the completion of all interviews.
If Mr. McConnell wants to speed up the process, he could schedule the first vote before senators have been able to see the results of the new FBI background check. That could create tension among rank-and-file lawmakers. Alternatively, it could put pressure on the FBI to complete its work before the target date, potentially undercutting the White House's stated goal of giving agents latitude to interview whomever they want.
One positive sign for Mr. McConnell is that Sen. Susan Collins (R., Maine), one of three GOP swing votes on the judge, said that she wouldn't object if Mr. McConnell got the votes rolling before the FBI background checks were completed. "I believe that the timeline that was played out anticipates that cloture would be filed," Ms. Collins said Tuesday.
But Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) said in a letter to Mr. McConnell that the FBI should brief the Senate on its findings at least 24 hours before the cloture vote. He also said it is "essential" that senators have access to the completed background investigation file and be able to ask questions about "what specific investigative steps were taken, what evidence was collected, and which witnesses were interviewed."
Attack the process. If successful, the results are meaningless. Btw,the Dems have *TOP* men available to critique said process:
