Rand Paul is throwing his support behind President Trump’s Supreme Court pick Brett Kavanaugh after initially saying he wasn’t sure he would vote to confirm the nominee. Capitol reporter Ryland Barton says one Republican no vote could derail the confirmation.
Last week Paul said he was “very worried” about court decisions Kavanaugh wrote in favor of broad government power to collect data about U.S. citizens without a warrant.
But on Monday, Paul said that he now supports Kavanaugh’s confirmation after meeting with him and reviewing his record.
Republicans’ slim majority has allowed Paul to seize the national spotlight during critical moments in recent years, becoming a key player when he diverges from Republican colleagues on issues like how to repeal the Affordable Care Act, government spending and foreign policy.
Paul has backed off threats to derail Trump’s priorities before. Earlier this year he promised to do “whatever it takes” to prevent the confirmation of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, but in the end voted in favor of him.
