Sen. Steve Daines to Attend Daughter’s Wedding This Weekend Regardless of Kavanaugh Vote

Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) told the Associated Press that he plans to be at his daughter’s wedding on Saturday, even if Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation vote is scheduled during the weekend. Daines’ absence from the vote would leave Republicans down one “yes” vote for Kavanaugh’s confirmation, but his spokesman later said the senator had already assured Kavanaugh he would make arrangements to “be there to get him across the finish line as needed,” according to NBC News reporter Franke Thorpe. Ahead of a key procedural vote set for Friday morning on whether to advance Kavanaugh’s nomination, at least three senators—Susan Collins (R-ME), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)—have yet to announce how they’ll vote. Earlier Thursday, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) announced she would be voting no on Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court—leaving only four other senators’ votes left in the balance, according to The Washington Post's count.