WASHINGTON  — US President Donald Trump says he's looking forward to the Senate vote that's vote expected to confirm his second Supreme Court nominee.

Trump told reporters as he left the White House for a rally in Topeka, Kansas, that he thinks Brett Kavanaugh is "going to be a great Supreme Court justice for many years to come." He's also praising Republican Sen. Susan Collins for the speech she delivered Friday announcing her support for the nominee.

And he says he thinks the week-long delay as the FBI investigated sexual misconduct allegations against Kavanaugh was something positive. Kavanaugh has repeatedly denied the allegations.

Trump is expected to watch the vote play out from aboard Air Force One as he flies to Kansas.

He's says, "it's a very exciting time." 3 p.m.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley is giving his closing argument for the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

Grassley is praising Kavanaugh's judicial independence in a speech on the Senate floor and he says the judge won't be beholden to the man who nominated him, President Donald Trump.

He accuses Democrats of doing "everything in their power" to make Kavanaugh's nomination about something other than his judicial record and qualifications.

Kavanaugh faced accusations of sexual misconduct from Christine Blasey Ford and other women. Ford testified that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her when they were teens. Kavanaugh forcefully denied the accusations.

The Senate is expected to vote soon to confirm Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Grassley says he's glad senators had the courage to "stand against the politics of personal destruction." 1:30 p.m.

A final vote has been set for Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court.

The vote on confirming Kavanaugh as an associate justice will begin at roughly 3:30 p.m., and senators have been advised to be in their seats by the time the historic roll call begins.

Republicans control the Senate by a 51-49 margin, and Saturday's vote seems destined to be nearly party-line. Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia is the only Democrat expected to vote for Kavanaugh's confirmation. Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska is opposed, but says she will vote "present" as a courtesy to another Republican who will be absent for his daughter's wedding.

A few hundred protesters are gathering outside the Capitol before the vote. A group of them climbed the Capitol steps, and some were led away by police.

AP