Initial Senate vote on Kavanaugh set for Friday

WASHINGTON — The full Senate is preparing to weigh in on Judge Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court with an initial vote on Friday.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell filed a motion Wednesday night setting up a Friday vote on whether to limit debate on Kavanaugh's nomination and move forward.

A simple majority of 51 votes will be needed for Kavanaugh's nomination to advance.

In setting the voting process in motion, McConnell is likely to call for a final vote over the weekend.

Allegations of sexual misconduct when Kavanaugh was in high school and college have rocked President Donald Trump's effort to put the conservative appeals court judge on the high court.

Although Kavanaugh has denied the allegations of three women, they proved so controversial that Trump directed the FBI to re-open a background investigation

In a statement Wednesday night, lawyers for Christine Blasey Ford say the additional FBI background investigation didn't include interviewing Ford or the witnesses they say corroborate her testimony. In that light, they say it can't be called an investigation.

Ford's lawyers go on to say they are "profoundly disappointed" that those directing the probe "were not interested in seeking the truth."

Senators are expected to begin reviewing the FBI report on Thursday in a secure room in the Capitol complex. They are not supposed to divulge the contents of the agency's background reports.

AP