*By Kate Gill*
After days of speculation, controversy, and protest, Brett Kavanaugh moved a big step closer to taking a seat on the Supreme Court after clearing a procedural vote in the Senate, and winning the support of moderate Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine.
The Senate will hold a formal confirmation vote on Saturday, and barring a surprise change of heart by Republican Senators, Kavanaugh seems assured of the votes he needs.
Among the four Senators seen as possible swing votes, Fellow Republican Jeff Flake of Arizona said he would support Kavanaugh, as did Democrat Joe Manchin of West Virginia. Among the wavering Senators, only Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) seems likely to vote against him on Saturday. Murkowski was a no during the procedural vote, suggesting she has shifted her position on Kavanaugh's confirmation.
The 51-49 procedural vote may be the penultimate turn in Kavanaugh's bumpy ride to the nation's highest court, but any senator can change his or her mind in the final hour.
Senator Collins ー who had not previously declared her intention ー spoke on the Senate floor hours after the procedural vote, delivering a lengthy speech on her desire to confirm Kavanaugh and to put the debate to rest.
"We've heard a lot of charges and counter-charges about Judge Kavanaugh, but as those who have known him best have attested, he has been an exemplary public servant, judge, teacher, coach, husband and father," she said.
"Despite the turbulent, bitter fight surrounding his nomination, my fervent hope is that Brett Kavanaugh will work to lessen the divisions in the Supreme Court so that we have far fewer 5-4 decisions, and so that public confidence in our judiciary and our highest court is restored. Mr. President, I will vote to confirm Judge Kavanaugh."
Sen. Flake also indicated in a statement on Friday he will vote yes on Kavanaugh's confirmation, "unless something big changes."
Collins' unequivocal statement of support for Kavanaugh came just over a week after the nation was riveted by the public testimony of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, who said Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted her when they were both in high school 36 years ago. After initially resisting calls to reopen the background investigation into Kavanaugh, Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee agreed last week to bring in the FBI to investigate Dr. Ford's allegations.
The FBI interviewed a small number of individuals but closed the investigation on Wednesday, producing a report that said the agency could find no evidence to corroborate Ford's accusations. Democrats and Ford's lawyers have criticized authorities for not interviewing her, or Kavanaugh, or any potential witnesses that might support Ford's account of a high school party, where the nominee allegedly assaulted her.
Following Friday's procedural vote, President Trump [tweeted](https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1048226225196552193) that he was "very proud" of the Senate.
U.S. officials spoke to Russian leaders for nearly eight hours earlier this week, in hopes of reducing tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Russia forced the west to the negotiating table by massing 100,000 troops near the Ukrainian border, sparking fears of an invasion, and then submitted a set of demands which the west rejected. Joel Rubin, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State & President at Washington Strategy Group explains what the rest of the week might look like, and why other European nations may be on the side of the U.S.
Chicago schools opened their doors again following a dispute between the teachers union and the city over as the omicron variant continues to surge, but the safety issues they fought over weren't just limited to the Windy City. Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell, family medicine and urgent care doctor, joined Cheddar in discussing concerns of parents, teachers, and students as schools try to operate amid COVID and noted what she's been observing as the number of infections among children rises. "I am seeing them contract the illness from so many different aspects," she said. "It could be from a fellow classmate. It could be from a parent. All of those things really play in the effect of transmission as well as contracting the illness."
Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) is looking for clarification about a federal standard regarding THC impairment while driving. "I think in terms of marijuana, the fact that it's still a Schedule 1 narcotic — it's treated the same as heroin and cocaine — it means that we can't get standards developed," he said about the lack of cohesive regulations. The lawmaker also explained his previous opposition to cannabis legalization in Colorado when he was governor and why his position changed.
With Martin Luther King Jr. Day fast approaching, Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C. 6th District), the House Majority Whip, talked about the importance of honoring the iconic civil rights activist. "As we consider the life and celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., let's think about who and what we are as a country, and whether or not we're going to give up on the ideals of this country or continue to press forward," he said. Clyburn also discussed the push for new voting legislation, the For the People Act and the John Lewis Act, as well as the fate of the Senate filibuster.
One year after the attack on Capitol Hill, America is still deeply divided and politically broken. Zoe Tillman, senior reporter for BuzzFeed News, breaks down President Biden's remarks on January 6, and why the country disagrees on its views over the violent insurrection.
While the pandemic caused financial troubles for many, the unique circumstances of the last two years proved helpful to many Americans. Whether it was the federal government's stimulus checks, expanded unemployment insurance, or general lockdowns, recent data reveals that the covid-19 pandemic helped many reach financial security. Neale Godfrey, Financial Expert and New York Times #1 Best Selling Author joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss.
U.S. markets opened higher despite red-hot inflation data which showed the highest surge in nearly 40 years. Jon Maier, CIO, GlobalX ETFs joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss this historic report.
Meta's request to have a Federal Trade Commission antitrust lawsuit dismissed was rejected by a federal judge. Prosecutors presented enough evidence in their latest filing to go forward with the case accusing the tech giant of operating a social networking monopoly through Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Covid cases have started to spike again across the nation, and this time they seem to be hitting some of our youngest and most vulnerable - school-aged children. School districts across the nation - including the country's largest public school system in New York City- are all grappling with what to do as teachers and students alike continue to miss school in droves.
Katie Honan, reporter for the New York City-based non profit news organization, The City explains how educational leaders across the country are handling covid demands from both teachers and parents alike.
Last week, the Supreme Court began here to hear arguments on two of the President's COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The vaccine or testing requirement for employees of large businesses, as well as the vaccine mandate for health care providers who get funding through either Medicare or Medicaid. The justices in DC will ultimately decide whether or not federal agencies even have the authority to issue these types of mandates. Editor at large of employment at Law 360, Vin Gurrieri, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
