Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said Tuesday that an FBI investigation into allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh would only reflect the knowledge of the accuser.
“Dr. Ford’s testimony would reflect her personal knowledge and memory of events. Nothing the FBI or any other investigator does would have any bearing on what Dr. Ford tells the committee, so there is no reason for any further delay,” Grassley said in a statement late Tuesday night.
[Related: Hillary Clinton stands by Kavanaugh accuser: FBI investigation a ‘reasonable request’]
Sen. Judiciary Chair @ChuckGrassley responds: “Dr. Ford’s testimony would reflect her personal knowledge and memory of events. Nothing the FBI or any other investigator does would have any bearing on what Dr. Ford tells the committee, so there is no reason for any further delay.” pic.twitter.com/zahXZP64xG
— Phil Mattingly (@Phil_Mattingly) September 19, 2018
Christine Blasey Ford, a 51-year-old professor in Northern California, accused Kavanaugh of drunkenly sexually assaulting her as a teenager at a high school party more than three decades ago. At the time of the alleged event, Kavanaugh was enrolled in Georgetown Preparatory School.
Ford came forward with the accusations earlier this summer, but did not go public with her story until right before the vote was scheduled to confirm Kavanaugh. Kavanaugh denies the accusations.
Both Ford and Kavanaugh have expressed their willingness to appear before the committee to testify. However, Ford’s legal team sent a letter to Grassley Tuesday after Ford indicated she would testify, putting a condition on the testimony.
Ford said she would appear in a hearing before the Judiciary Committee after the FBI fully investigated her allegations.
“We’ve offered Dr. Ford the opportunity to share her story with the committee, as her attorney said yesterday she was willing to do,” Grassley said. “We offered her a public or private hearing as well as staff-led interviews, whichever makes her more comfortable.The invitation for Monday still stands.
