U.S. Senate held a procedural vote on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh Friday morning, advancing his confirmation to a final vote to be held Saturday.
Friday’s vote came as key senators remained undeclared amid the allegations of sexual misconduct against Kavanaugh. The allegations have led to intense disagreements among politicians and protests across the country.
READ MORE: Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation vote to go ahead after FBI report
In the hours since the preliminary vote, undecided senators announced their final decision on Kavanaugh’s confirmation.
Here is how the day unfolded amid protests, a Senate vote and impassioned speeches.
Final undecided senator to vote ‘yes,’ 4 p.m. ET
The final undecided senator, Democrat Joe Manchin, tweeted Friday afternoon that he will wrote in favour of Kavanaugh’s confirmation.
Manchin said he has “reservations” about the vote, but still believes Kavanaugh is a “qualified jurist.”
With Manchin and Susan Collins’ support, Kavanaugh has enough votes to be confirmed for a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court.
WATCH: Sen. Joe Manchin faces protesters following decision to vote ‘yes’
Sen. Susan Collins announces her final decision, 3 p.m. ET
Republican Sen. Susan Collins announced Friday that she will vote to confirm Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court on Saturday.
“We will be ill-served in the long term if we abandon the presumption of innocence,” Collins said on the floor of the Senate.
“I do not believe that these charges can fairly prevent Judge Kavanaugh from serving,” she added.
WATCH: Sen. Susan Collins to vote ‘yes’ to confirm Kavanaugh
Sen. Jeff Flake to back Kavanaugh, 12:30 p.m. ET
Republican Sen. Jeff Flake announced he will vote to confirm Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court “unless something big changes.”
Flake added, however, that he doesn’t expect anything to change.
WATCH: Jeff Flake says he’ll vote yes on Kavanaugh ‘unless something big happens’
Another day of protests, 11:30 a.m. ET
Protests continued in Washington on Friday following the Senate’s preliminary vote. Some were seen getting detained by officers.
Demonstrations are expected to continue into the weekend.
Donald Trump praises Senate, 11 a.m. ET
U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted minutes after the Senate’s preliminary vote expressing his enthusiasm.
“Very proud of the U.S. Senate for voting ‘YES’ to advance the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh!” he wrote.
Senators vote ‘yes’ in preliminary vote, 10:45 a.m. ET
The majority of U.S. senators voted to advance Kavanaugh’s confirmation to a final vote, which will be held Saturday.
Most senators voted along party lines, with Republicans voting in favour of the confirmation and Democrats saying no.
There were two notable exceptions: Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski voted against advancing the vote. Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin voted in favour of Kavanaugh.
The vote count was 51-49.
WATCH: U.S. senators review sole copy of FBI’s Kavanaugh report
Key senator to vote ‘yes,’ 10 a.m. ET
U.S. Senate Republican Susan Collins, considered one of four possible swing votes on the confirmation, will vote yes on Friday in a procedural vote.
Collins will announce her decision for the final confirmation vote this afternoon.
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Senators speak before the vote, 9:30 a.m. ET
U.S. senators spoke on the floor ahead of a planned preliminary vote on Kavanaugh’s future, which is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. ET.
While two undecided Republicans responded favourably Thursday to an FBI report on Kavanaugh, it is still unclear how they will vote.
WATCH: Kavanaugh is step closer to securing U.S. Supreme Court seat
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