The US Senate voted to limit further debate on Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation, with 51 Senators voting in favor and 49 opposed. One Republican and one Democrat voted against the rest of their respective parties.
The procedural vote sets the stage for the final vote to confirm Kavanaugh, which may take place as early as Saturday.
President Trump congratulated Kavanaugh over the Senate's decision, saying he was "very proud" of lawmakers.
Very proud of the U.S. Senate for voting “YES” to advance the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 5, 2018
Earlier, the president accused protesters against Kavanaugh's nomination of being "paid professionals only looking to make Senators look bad," and suggested they were "paid for by Soros and others."
Nearly 300 protesters were arrested before the US Capitol building during so-called 'Cancel Kavanaugh' protests on Thursday. Activists, including survivors of sexual assaults, have been confronting Senators all week as they entered the elevators in the US Capitol and Senate office buildings, urging them to vote against the Trump nominee.
Trump nominated Kavanaugh in July to replace outgoing Justice Anthony Kennedy.
