Republicans have accused Democrats of seeking to delay the confirmation of Mr Kavanaugh in the hope that they will make gains in the mid-term elections in November and stop his appointment altogether.
US senators are assessing an FBI report into sexual misconduct allegations against Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee.
It is not clear what the report contains. It will not be made public.
The judge has vehemently denied all allegations against him.
Republicans and Democrats are divided over the nomination. A confirmation vote is expected to be held on Saturday.
The court’s nine justices are appointed for life and have the final say on some of the most contentious issues in US public life, from abortion to gun control and voting laws.
Kavanaugh appointment would tilt the court in favour of conservatives.
Republicans have accused Democrats of seeking to delay the confirmation of Mr Kavanaugh in the hope that they will make gains in the mid-term elections in November and stop his appointment altogether.
The report contains summaries of interviews that the FBI has conducted and which the White House has forwarded to the Senate. It is not meant to have the form of a conclusion or recommendation.
Senators have been told not to reveal what the report says, but it remains to be seen whether that secrecy will hold.
The report is in paper format only and no copies will be made. It will be held in a secure room in the basement of the Capitol building, known as a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility, or “Skif”, AP news agency reported.
Committee chairman Chuck Grassley reviewed the report at 08:00 local time (12:00 GMT) and ranking Democrat Dianne Feinstein saw it at 09:00. After that, the Republican committee members see it at 10:00 and the Democrats at 11:00.