Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who has yet to publicly declare whether she will vote for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, said Tuesday an FBI investigation would “clear up” any uncertainty regarding the sexual misconduct allegations leveled against the judge.
“It would sure clear up all the questions, wouldn’t it?” Murkowski, R-Alaska, told reporters when asked whether the bureau should probe the two accusations made against Kavanaugh.
[More: Lisa Murkowski: Kavanaugh confirmation hinges on accuser, not judge’s qualifications]
I just asked Sen. Lisa Murkowski, key GOP swing vote, if there should be a full FBI investigation into allegations from Kavanaugh’s past. “It would sure clear up all the questions, wouldn’t it?” she said
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) September 25, 2018
Murkowski later told Fox News she hoped Thursday’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing with Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford, who claims the judge drunkenly forced himself on her during a Maryland high school party in 1982, would provide clarity to a turbulent confirmation process.
From colleague Kevin Kirby. GOP AK Sen Lisa Murkowski says she hopes Thursday’s hrng will clear up a lot of questions on Kavanaugh & Ford
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) September 25, 2018
Kavanaugh has additionally been accused of exposing himself to Deborah Ramirez at an undergraduate Yale University party during their 1983-84 academic school year. The judge has vehemently denied both allegations.
[Related: Kavanaugh became ‘aggressive,’ ‘belligerent’ when drinking, says Yale freshman roommate]
Senate Democrats have supported the women’s call for an FBI or otherwise independent investigation into their claims ahead of a vote on Kavanaugh’s nomination.
The FBI routinely performs background checks into nominees proposed for certain administration positions at the request of the White House, including Supreme Court picks. The bureau could reopen its background inquiry into Kavanaugh if directed to by Trump, but the White House and GOP allies believe the Senate Judiciary Committee is equipped to manage the proceedings.
Murkowski is considered a crucial vote on Kavanaugh, given the Democratic argument that his appointment could narrow the court’s interpretation of abortion rights in the country. Alaska’s governor and lieutenant governor last week came out against Kavanaugh’s nomination, a move that could put pressure on Murkowski to oppose him as well.
Kavanaugh and Ford are due to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee at 10 a.m. on Thursday.
