Alito confirmation vote expected tomorrow

The Kerry-Kennedy filibuster came up well short of the 41 votes needed to stall the confirmation of Judge Samuel Alito as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.

On a 72-25 vote, senators succeeded in passing the 60-vote threshold to prevent a filibuster and allow a simple majority vote Tuesday. Nineteen Democrats joined Republicans to end debate, though many of them oppose Alito's nomination. At least 57 senators have said publicly they will vote for the nominee.