DEMS/NOMINATIONS/SUPREME COURT/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh visited top U.S. Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill on Tuesday [7-10-18], seeking to build support among lawmakers in what promises to be a contentious confirmation battle with Democrats. Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer vowed an all-out battle against Kavanaugh, but senators in his party cannot block Kavanaugh’s confirmation if no Republicans break ranks. Trump’s fellow Republicans hold a 51-49 Senate majority, leaving them little margin for error. Advocacy groups for and against Kavanaugh planned to spend millions of dollars in advertising to try to sway lawmakers. The morning after being nominated by Trump for a lifetime seat on the nine-member conservative-majority court, Kavanaugh began making the rounds in the Senate, first visiting Republican leader Mitch McConnell and then Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, whose panel will hold confirmation hearings.”
-Richard Cowan, Amanda Becker, “Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Kavanaugh woos Senate,” Reuters, July 10, 2018 7:35 am