The Senate voted Sunday to advance the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett, setting up a final confirmation vote Monday.
Senate Republicans provided the 51 vote minimum to prevent a Democratic filibuster, rejecting arguments from Democrats that the vacant Supreme Court seat should not be filled until the next president is sworn into office.
The final tally was 51-48. Democrats unanimously voted against advancing Barrett’s nomination.
Sen. Kamala Harris, the running mate to Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, was not in attendance, instead on the campaign trail.
Two Republicans, Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, voted against advancing the nomination, citing the proximity of the election and the decision by Republicans in 2016 to ignore then-President Barack Obama’s high court pick, Merrick Garland.
Murkowski said she’ll ultimately vote to confirm Barrett on Monday.
The Senate convened in a rare weekend session to take up the nomination, blocking several attempts by Democrats to bring up other legislation, including a massive coronavirus aid package.
