The United States Supreme Court judge confirmation hearing for conservative nominee Brett Kavanaugh has kicked off, with chaos reigning as Democrats try to block the proceedings.
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United States President Donald Trump nominated Mr Kavanaugh for Supreme Court judge to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy, who announced his retirement in June.
Many Democratic senators have shared their intention to vote against Mr Kavanaugh, and many Republicans have declared their support.
Pro-choice supporters are appealing to two Republican senators - Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska - to vote against their party. Pro-choice supporters say Mr Kavanaugh could vote to limit abortion rights or even overturn the Roe v. Wade ruling from 1973 establishing a woman's constitutional right to abortion.
On top of this, a few Democratic candidates seeking re-election in Trump-voting states could vote for Mr Kavanaugh.
In the meantime though, Democrats are attempting to block proceedings, at least until they have a chance to go through the 42,000 documents about Kavanaugh's work the White House released just the night before the hearing.
Democrats also want the White House to release the further 100,000 documents about Kavanaugh they are still withholding, which relate to Kavanaugh's time as staff secretary to Republican former president George W Bush from 2003 to 2006. That job involved managing paper flow from advisers to Mr Bush.
New Jersey Democratic Senator Cory Booker said the withholding of the documents by Republicans and the White House left legislators unable to properly vet Kavanaugh.
Conneticut Democtratic Senator Richard Bulmenthal made a motion to adjourn the hearing, but Chairman Chuck Grassley denied the motion saying there was no reason for a delay.
Protesters have also disrupted the event, with one woman shouting "this is a mockery and a travesty of justice, cancel Brett Kavanaugh!"
More than 20 protestors have been removed from the court.
Mr Kavanaugh, 53, has spent the last 12 years serving on the federal appeals court in Washington, DC, which is classed as the second most important court in the country after the Supreme Court.
As well as working for Mr Bush, he was also a member of the legal team that investigated President Bill Clinton, leading to his impeachment.
Mr Kavanaugh has long held conservative rulings, just last year trying to deny access to an abortion for an immigrant teenager in federal custody.
In his opening remarks Kavanaugh said he would be a "team player" and "pro-law judge", and wouldn't let his personal views dictate his judgements.
AAP / Newshub.
