Senate Republicans are holding firm to their planned Monday hearing to examine sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, amid growing Democratic calls for more delays and an extended FBI background check, and questions about whether Kavanaugh’s accuser will appear.
Tuesday afternoon, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said Christine Blasey Ford had not yet agreed to appear and talk about her claim that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her while they were both in high school.
Republican members of the committee gathered in the office of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Tuesday afternoon, and emerged with no announced changes or more details about their plan hold a hearing next Monday at 10 a.m.
[Trump: FBI shouldn’t get ‘involved’ in Kavanaugh sexual assault controversy]
Grassley has reached out to Blasey several times but has not heard from her, he said as he entered the Senate chamber. A note released by Grassley’s office Tuesday afternoon said committee staff has also not spoken with Ford yet, but did talk to Kavanaugh.
“We’ve also called and emailed Dr. Ford’s lawyer to arrange a similar interview, but we haven’t received a response,” Grassley’s staff said.
Grassley’s office also noted that while Democrats are invited to participate in all interviews in preparation for next week, “they have so far declined.”
Lawmakers have not decided on the format either, according to committee member John Kennedy, R-La.
“We are planning on the hearing Monday, it can be open, it can be closed, whatever Ms. Ford wants,” Kennedy said. “We are ready to hear anything she has to say.”
Lawmakers said they don’t know what will happen if Ford refuses to show up, but indicated they plan to convene the hearing on Monday regardless.
“If somebody doesn’t show, does show or doesn’t like the time, we are going to try to be as accommodating as we can, but the hearing is set for Monday,” Kennedy said.
Democrats have written to Grassley urging the GOP to back their call for the FBI to reopen its background investigation into Kavanaugh before a hearing commences. Republicans on Tuesday appeared to dismiss their call.
“The White House can reopen it, but the FBI doesn’t report to us,” Kennedy said. “If it’s opened up, that’s up to the White House. I haven’t even heard the allegations, I haven’t even seen the letter.”
Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., who is undecided, said he is “insisting on” following Senate rules, which means providing a notice of one week.
“I don’t know how you say you are not going to appear,” Flake said.
Flake said Ford has the option of a hearing open or closed, with or without cameras.
“We want her to appear, and she said before we made the decision, she wanted to appear,” Flake said. “It’s the system we’ve got. I don’t know what else we can do.”
“There has been an FBI background check, she has asked to come testify, she needs to be heard,” he added. “Monday is, under the Senate rules, it’s a full week. And I hope she comes.”
