Brett Kavanaugh vote: Trump orders FBI background investigation into Supreme Court nominee after Jeff Flake calls for Senate vote delay
After the committee decision attention will turn to moderate Senate Republicans like Susan Collins and their possible voting intentions in a full chamber vote
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved Donald Trump's nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, in a vote 11-10 on party lines.
However, moderate Republican Senator Jeff Flake called for an FBI investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against the judge before a final Senate vote. Mr Trump later ordered the FBI to conduct that understanding.
Mr Flake's intervention means a final Senate vote on the nomination could be delayed for up to a week so that the FBI investigation can be completed. Mr Kavanuagh denies the allegations from three different women.
“I will vote to advance the nominee to the floor with that understanding,” Mr Flake said.
Please allow a moment for the live blog to load
We are "no longer...an independent, equal branch of government," said Senator Patrick Leahy.
"We are an arm, a very weak arm, of the Trump White House," Mr Leahy said in his raspy voice.
"Our Constitutional obligation, at the very least, is to investigate these allegations," Mr Leahy said, his voice growing angrier.
"This is not about delaying a nomination until after the election," he noted, adding the debacle of Mr Garland's nomination.
"A proper investigation means hearing from all the witnesses," Mr Leahy said.
"Most stunningly, this committee has refused to call" Mr Judge, the main eyewitness to the alleged assault.
"He has effectively nailed a 'Do Not Disturb' sign" and Republicans seem to be all right with that, Mr Leahy said.
"The Senate failed Anita Hill. This time we're doing worse," Mr Leahy asserted.
"They don't want to hear women"
Watch how Mr Flake was confronted by protesters while heading to the hearing room. He appears visibly uncomfortable and remained silent, save for whispering the words "thank you," to the women.
He is still voting 'yes' on Mr Kavanaugh's appointment.
"That's. Just. Not. True." Mr Leahy said about Mr Kavanaugh's claim that none of the witnesses named from Dr Ford confirmed the assault happened.
Mr Leahy explained the witnesses said they have "no recollection" of the event, which is very different from saying they are certain the alleged assault occurred.
Mr Kavanaugh blaming Democrats for targeting him and exacting "revenge on behalf of the Clintons" essentially "amounts to conspiratorial madness," Mr Leahy said.
Mr Kavanaugh had been on the legal team with special counsel Ken Starr, who was investigating President Bill Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky.
"I've never seen such volatility...and a lack of judicial temperament," said Mr Leahy.
"I believe her as I believed Anita Hill," Mr Leahy said, adding Mr Kavanaugh is unfit to serve on the court.
Senator Lindsey Graham, who was genuinely flummoxed yesterday when he said Democrats "ambushed" the committee with Dr Ford's allegations, is now up.
He spat anger yesterday at Democrats, calling the nomination process a "joke" because of the questioning and wanting an FBI investigation.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments