Collins begins to speak. Protesters are shouting "VOTE NO."
Collins: This process has been "so dysfunctional," like a "caricature of a gutter-level political campaign." "Within moments" of Kavanaugh's nomination, she says, "special interests raced to be the first to oppose him."
Collins: "We have seen special interest groups whip their followers into a frenzy" by "spreading falsehoods" about Kavanaugh's record.
Collins says it is "against this backdrop" - of liberal groups being unfair - that she has to make her decision on Kavanaugh.
Collins: I reviewed his 12-year record on the DC court; "19 attorneys" briefed me "many times"; I met with Kavanaugh; I listened carefully to the testimony; I spoke with people who know him, such as Condi Rice.
Collins: I met with opponents of Kavanaugh, some of whom said Kavanaugh was likely to eliminate ACA protections for people with pre-existing conditions. "I disagree with this contention."
Collins says she's also heard Kavanaugh can't be trusted on a case involving alleged wrongdoing by Trump. She is citing his record to argue that this is incorrect. "I believe opponents miss the mark on this issue," she says.
Collins says Kavanaugh has made it clear that he does not believe a president is "above the law."
Collins has a long speech, and she's emphasizing Kavanaugh's judicial record at the outset. She hasn't gotten to the sexual assault, temperament or honesty questions yet.
Collins: Protecting Roe and abortion rights are important to me, but "to my knowledge, Judge Kavanaugh is the first Supreme Court nominee to express the view that precedent is not merely a practice and tradition but rooted in Article III of our Constitution itself."
Regarding Roe v. Wade, Collins says Kavanaugh has made clear to her that he thinks precedent can only be overturned in extraordinary circumstances, and is not something to be "trimmed" or "narrowed." She says that will "preclude" him from limiting abortion rights "by stealth."
Collins says it doesn't matter that Trump promised to nominate only pro-life justices. She says Republicans have promised this for decades, but then their appointees (Souter, Kennedy) have reaffirmed abortion rights. "Prominent advocacy organizations have been WRONG," she says.
Collins says Kavanaugh has assured her he hasn't made conservative pro-life groups any promises about how he'll rule on cases.
Collins turns to the sexual assault allegations. She says the confirmation process now involves evaluating whether Kavanaugh committed assault. She says she sides with "the presumption of innocence and fairness," and "I cannot abandon them."
Collins on the "presumption of innocence": "We must always remember that it is when passions are most inflamed that fairness is most in jeopardy." She says abandoning it will result in a "lack of public faith in the judiciary."
Obviously, it will be U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Collins denounces Julie Swetnick's allegation that Kavanaugh was somehow involved in a gang rape, saying it's "outlandish" and a "stark reminder of why the presumption of innocence is so ingrained in our American consciousness."
Collins says Blasey Ford was "sincere, painful and compelling." She says she believes Blasey Ford is a legit sex assault survivor and has been traumatized. But she says nobody Blasey Ford says was at the "party" has corroborated it. "Mark Judge denied under penalty of felony..."
Basically, the Republican position is that Blasey Ford is an admirable person who was truthful and sincere about being sexually assaulted by somebody but was probably making up the part about the perpetrator being Brett Kavanaugh.
Collins notes that Blasey Ford doesn't remember how she got home, notes that not even her close friend Keyser called her later about the gathering to ask if she was okay. This is clearly not an agonized speech of any kind.
Collins in sum: "I do not believe that these charges can fairly prevent Judge Kavanaugh from serving on the court."
Collins: "We must listen to survivors." Nothing could be further from the truth than suggesting we're condoning sexual assault. "The Me Too movement is real, it matters, it is needed, and it is long overdue."
Collins is complaining about the leak of Blasey Ford's letter. "To that leaker, who I hope is listening now, let me say that what you did was unconscionable."
After making clear she doesn't believe her, she is positioning herself as a defender of her wishes for confidentiality.
After making clear she doesn't believe her, she is positioning herself as a defender of her wishes for confidentiality.
Collins: "We have forgotten the common values that bind us together as Americans."
Collins: It is "particularly worrisome" that the Supreme Court "is viewed as part of the problem through a political lens."
Collins: "We've heard a lot of charges and counter-charges about Judge Kavanaugh. But as those who have known him best have attested, he has been an exemplary public servant, judge, teacher, coach, husband and father."
Collins concludes by announcing her Yes vote.
