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Article snippet: Republican leaders and lawmakers on Monday night were quick to rally around MORE's decision to nominate federal appeals court Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. GOP senators and other conservatives praised Kavanaugh's academic credentials and judicial track record, and expressed optimism that he'd be promptly confirmed. Senate Majority Leader Trump tapped Kavanaugh, 53, to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy, who is retiring at the end of the month. Prior to serving on the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., Kavanaugh worked under former President George W. Bush, as well as for Kenneth Starr, the independent counsel who investigated former President Clinton in the 1990s. Bush praised the nomination as well, saying in a statement that that his former aide "will make a superb Justice." "Brett is a brilliant jurist who has faithfully applied the Constitution and laws throughout his 12 years on the D.C. Circuit," Bush said. "He is a fine husband, father and friend — and a man of the highest integrity." Kavanaugh's nomination is likely to set off a bitter fight in the Senate, where Republicans hold a 51-49 edge. With Sen. MORE (R-Ariz.) at home recovering from cancer treatment, the GOP can't afford any defections unless a Democrat votes to confirm Kavanaugh. Some Republicans were quick to call out Democrats for their expected opposition to Trump's pick. "Brett Kavanaugh is a serious jurist known for careful deliberation. This doesn’t matter to many on the ... Link to the full article to read more