(CNN) Key Senate Democrats called on Republicans Wednesday to suspend the confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh after Michael Cohen -- the president's personal lawyer for decades-- pleaded guilty to eight criminal counts in a New York court. Almost simultaneously, Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort was found guilty on eight counts of financial crimes in a Virginia courtroom. On the Senate floor, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said, "In my view, the Senate Judiciary Committee should immediately pause the consideration of the Kavanaugh nomination." The notion that Republicans would entertain delaying the confirmation process was quickly and predictably shut down by Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley on Wednesday afternoon. The hearing will begin as planned on September 4," said George Hartmann, a spokesman for Grassley.

Source: CNN August 22, 2018 16:09 UTC