It’s over.
WaPo – The Senate, overcoming a symbolic filibuster attempt by Massacusetts Democrats Sens. Robert F. Kerry and Edward M. Kennedy, voted to end debate on the nomination of Samuel A. Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Sixty votes were required to end discussion.
A vote by simple majority to confirm in the full Senate is expected about 11 a.m. tomorrow, with a swearing-in to follow shortly, possibly allowing Alito to attend the State of the Union Address as Justice Alito.
The filibuster today was a gesture, not a traditional talkathon, as the speakers were well aware that they would not have the votes to continue and spoke relatively briefly on the floor.
The final vote was 72–25.