The White House on Friday expressed confidence the Senate will confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

"We sure hope so. I think we should," White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said when asked by reporters if Kavanaugh has enough votes.

"Moving into the weekend, we certainly hope the Senate will vote to confirm him," she added.

ADVERTISEMENT

The comments come after Kavanaugh cleared a key procedural hurdle in the Senate, setting up a final vote on his confirmation as early as Saturday.

But the vote was full of drama and was called without Kavanaugh knowing beforehand whether he would have enough support to advance. The vote passed by a narrow 51-49 margin, indicating a confirmation vote could be a nail-biter.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski Lisa Ann MurkowskiClub for Growth to spend million in ads for Trump Supreme Court nominee Pebble Mine CEO resigns over secretly recorded comments about government officials Maryland's GOP governor says Republicans shouldn't rush SCOTUS vote before election MORE (Alaska), the only Republican who voted against moving forward with the nomination, said she decided which way to vote while walking into the Senate chamber.

Sanders said White House officials have been in touch with key senators in the lead-up to the vote.

"We’ve been in constant contact with a number of senators since this process began and we’re going to continue those efforts right up until the last minute because this is such an important moment in our country’s history," she said earlier in an interview with Fox News.

The White House received a boost Friday afternoon when a key undecided GOP senator, Arizona's Jeff Flake Jeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeHow fast population growth made Arizona a swing state Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Republican former Michigan governor says he's voting for Biden MORE, said he would vote to confirm Kavanaugh.

Sens. Susan Collins Susan Margaret CollinsClub for Growth to spend million in ads for Trump Supreme Court nominee Maryland's GOP governor says Republicans shouldn't rush SCOTUS vote before election The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - GOP closes ranks to fill SCOTUS vacancy by November MORE (R-Maine) and Joe Manchin Joseph (Joe) ManchinManchin defends Supreme Court candidate Barrett: 'It's awful to bring in religion' The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Trump, GOP allies prepare for SCOTUS nomination this week Trump meets with potential Supreme Court pick Amy Coney Barrett at White House MORE (D-W.Va.) remain the other undecided votes, though both voted Friday to end debate.

Kavanaugh's nomination has been embroiled in controversy since multiple women came forward to accuse him of sexual misconduct. The judge has denied the allegations.