Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced Saturday that she’s going to vote to verify Amy Coney Barrett, President Donald Trump’s newest Supreme Court docket nominee.

Murkowski, together with GOP Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, stated she opposed transferring ahead with submitting a vacant Supreme Court docket seat simply days away from the presidential election, expressing fear that it could politicize the establishment and threaten its legitimacy.

“I don’t suppose it will assist our nation develop into a greater model of itself,” Murkowski stated in a speech on the Senate ground, instantly earlier than asserting her intention to vote for Barrett anyway. The ultimate vote is anticipated on Monday.

“Whereas I oppose the method that has led us so far, I don’t maintain it towards her as a person who has navigated the gauntlet with grace, ability and humility,” she added of Barrett, a seventh Circuit Court docket of Appeals decide who as soon as clerked for the late Justice Antonin Scalia.

Murkowski is up for reelection in 2022, and her vote on Barrett’s nomination is being carefully watched as she gears up for a possible GOP main. The senator’s contradictory announcement on Saturday was an try to string the needle to bolster her possibilities of remaining within the Senate.

The Alaska average voted towards Brett Kavanaugh’s affirmation in 2018. She additionally drew the ire of Trump after denouncing his conduct as president earlier this yr.

With Murkowski’s help, Barrett’s nomination is now anticipated to move 52-48.

Democrats have warned that Barrett’s anti-abortion background signifies that she’s going to vote to curtail abortion rights ― one thing that should matter to a pro-choice senator like Murkowski.

However the senator defended Barrett on Saturday, stating she didn’t imagine the decide had a “predetermined agenda” after assembly together with her earlier this week.

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