Factbox - Handful of U.S. senators hold keys to Kavanaugh Supreme Court bid

FILE PHOTO: Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) speaks during a hearing of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S. March 13, 2018. REUTERS/Eric Thayer/File Photo

(Reuters) - President Donald Trump's nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court is now in the hands of the Senate, where the opposing forces are clear, except for a few senators who sometimes cross party boundaries, depending on the issues.

Confirmation of Kavanaugh will require a simple majority in the 100-seat chamber. The Republicans hold a 51-49 edge over the Democrats and independents. Republican Vice President Mike Pence can cast a deciding vote in the case of a tie.