Graham asks sarcastically about whoever would play politics about abortion on the campaign trail. Then he quotes Hillary Clinton making campaign statements about abortion on the campaign trail.
Even after more than a year on the bench, senators continue to have trouble pronouncing "Gorsuch."
Graham: This is the way we do politics. This is a big decision, Roe v. Wade.
Graham: No one on the left will care if you overturn Citizens United. They will cheer you on.
Graham mentions that Kavanaugh "wrote a big book, which I will probably never read."
Graham: The idea that Trump picked Kavanaugh to save himself is an "amazing concept."
Graham moves to guns. Recent legislation on gun control received 16 no votes from Democrats, Graham says.
Graham is reading from statements of liberals about Comey's firing. "To my Democratic friends, you were all about getting rid of this guy."
Graham: I will do everything I can to make sure Mr. Mueller finishes his job without political interference.
Graham: Okay to pick a Democratic staff person, but not a lifelong Republican. That's hypocrisy. You had a chance, and you lost [Graham says to Dems]. You can win the next election.
Graham: I voted for two Obama nominees because they were qualified.
Graham: I'm glad that the game has gotten this bad. The antidote to this moment in American politics is not to deny you a seat on the Supreme Court. Trump hasn't done anything better than pick Gorsuch and Kavanaugh.
Grassley: We will take a 15 minute break. Then we will have introductions.
Then oath from nominee and statement from nominee.
We will begin tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m.
Grassley: I'm not going to let happen tomorrow what I shouldn't have let happen today.
They apparently have to make a furniture swap (to bring in a bigger table for the witnesses), which will require 15 minutes.
Grassley is starting again with the gavel.
We are fortunate to have Condoleezza Rice, Sen. Rob Portman, and Lisa Blatt, Grassley says.
Rice: My relationship with Kavanaugh goes back 17 years to the Bush White House. Those were not easy times. Grateful to have had Kavanaugh as colleague.
Rice: I was there when he married Ashley and I remember the birth of his children.
Rice: Since the nomination, I have reflected back to these times. He's hard-working, has a sense of humor, seeks truth in facts, no detail is too small to gain his attention, he is an old soul who can hold steady in complicated times.
Rice: He listens, especially those with whom he disagrees. We have become almost tribal, and so this is an indispensable quality for a Supreme Court nominee.
Rice: In recent weeks, we've have a chance to reflect back on our Constitution. I have watched the struggle of people across the world to achieve and keep democracy. I am amazed by the structure left to us by our framers, balancing three parts of government.
Rice: As Americans, we take our rights seriously. A democracy is only stable when there is trust among institutions.
Rice: The strength of American institutions cannot be taken for granted.
Rice: In segregated Birmingham as a little girl, I know this country's long journey to secure equal rights. The Supreme Court is a crucial guardian of our Constitution and our democracy. This is why I'm honored to introduce Brett Kavanaugh.
Rice: Kavanaugh will thoroughly and faithfully uphold the trust that is our heritage, the Constitution.
Sen. Portman, R-Ohio: I have known Brett and Ashley since before they were married.
Portman: Brett showed good judgment in marrying Ashley.
Portman going over some biographical details -- Kavanaugh's mother is in the audience, and it was through her that he first began learning about the law. She's the real Judge Kavanaugh.
Portman: There is not a better qualified person to be on the court. The ABA gave unanimous well-qualified rating.
Portman: The Supreme Court has adopted his reasoning 13 times, a record that few if any other appellate judges can match.
Portman: Kavanaugh agrees with idea that judge's job is not to be a legislator. He has a judicial philosophy that is very much in the mainstream.
Portman: He has the humility to listen, which might be the most important attribute.
Portman: Kavanaugh came to our office for a meeting after the nomination, then went to volunteer. I only heard about it because someone tweeted a photo. It was "classic Brett" that he didn't tell me this was where he was going after the meeting.
Portman: I know these are partisan times, but this is an extraordinary nominee in every respect. I believe he deserves broad support.
Lisa Blatt, Supreme Court litigator, now up.
It should probably be noted that the two U.S. senators from Maryland, Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, are not the ones introducing Kavanaugh today. They are Democrats.
Blatt has argued more cases at the Supreme Court than any other woman.
Blatt: I know Judge Kavanaugh in capacity as litigator. I am a liberal Democrat and an unapologetic defender of a woman's right to choose. My hero is Justice Ginsburg. I voted for Hillary Clinton and Obama twice. And yet I am here today to introduce Judge Kavanaugh and urge the Senate to confirm it.
Blatt: I have received angry calls from friends and strangers, but I was raised to call it as I see it.
Blatt: His judicial temperament is flawless. He approaches judging by asking what the law requires, no matter his personal preferences.
Blatt: I cannot say enough nice things about the judge.
Blatt: He has been a mentor to me as a working mother in a profession dominated by men.
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