Former Vice President Joe Biden tore into Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee, accusing them of threatening the “reputation and legitimacy” of the Supreme Court for their handling of a sexual assault allegation against Brett Kavanaugh.
Kavanaugh and California professor Christine Blasey Ford testified Thursday about the alleged sexual assault that Ford says happened when the two were in high school more than 30 years ago.
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Kavanaugh vehemently denied the accusation, calling his confirmation process a “national disgrace.”
The hearing turned intensely partisan as Republican senators lashed out at Democrats for their treatment of President Trump’s nominee.
Biden said the behavior of Republican members of the committee was “a degree of invective, blind rage, and brute partisanship that threatens not only the Senate and the Supreme Court — it threatens the basic faith in fairness and justice that binds this country together.”
Calling Ford “courageous” and “credible” in detailing her allegations, Biden said she deserves to have the FBI conduct an investigation into the alleged incident. The Supreme Court’s reputation also depends on such an investigation, he said.
“Dr. Blasey Ford deserves an FBI investigation today. The millions of women who have suffered sexual assault and abuse deserve an FBI investigation. The country deserves one. And for its reputation and legitimacy, the Supreme Court needs one too,” Biden’s statement said.
The president ordered a “supplemental investigation” at the Senate’s urging Friday.
The Senate panel backed Kavanaugh in a party-line 11-10 vote earlier Friday, but Republicans delayed a final vote on the nominee by up to a week to allow time for an FBI investigation.
