Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., said Sunday the Senate Judiciary Committee should wait to proceed with Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation until it properly considers a sexual misconduct allegation made against him.
“I’ve made it clear that I’m not comfortable moving ahead with the vote on Thursday if we have not heard her side of the story or explored this further,” Flake told Washington Post. “For me, we can’t vote until we hear more.”
[Kellyanne Conway: Kavanaugh accuser ‘should not be ignored’]
Flake, who sits on the narrowly divided committee, then told Politico he would not remark on whether the federal appeals court judge should withdraw his nomination from consideration.
“We need to hear from her. And I don’t think I’m alone in this,” the Arizona Republican added.
Flake’s comments on follow the woman who accuses Kavanaugh of forcing himself onto her at a Maryland high school house party in the 1980s identifying herself publicly for the first time in an interview published Sunday.
Christine Blasey Ford, now a 51-year-old California-based professor, told the Washington Post on the record Sunday that Kavanaugh drunkenly pinned her on her back in a bedroom during the gathering when she was 15 and he was 17. She then alleges he groped her over her clothes and attempted to muffle her cries for help with his hand.
Kavanaugh has “categorically and unequivocally” denied the claim.
The Senate judiciary panel is currently due to vote Kavanaugh’s nomination out of committee on Thursday.
Flake on Sunday went slightly further than his colleague Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who said he would “gladly listen” to Ford testify.
“If the committee is to hear from Ms. Ford, it should be done immediately so the process can continue as scheduled,” Graham added via a written statement.
Despite not being a member of the panel, Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., also said Sunday it would be best “for all involved, including the nominee,” if the vote were delayed.
