WASHINGTON, Oct 5 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to a lifetime seat on the U.S. Supreme Court cleared an important procedural hurdle on Friday when the Senate voted to limit debate on the controversial nominee.

The Republican-controlled Senate voted 51-49 to set up a likely final vote on Kavanaugh's confirmation on Saturday. (Reporting By Amanda Becker and Richard Cowan Editing by Frances Kerry)