Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley on Wednesday rejected the idea of having the FBI investigate sexual assault claims against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, and said he is still working to have Kavanaugh’s accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, testify in his committee next week.
“No other OUTSIDE investigation is necessary for the Cmte to do its investigation,” Grassley tweeted Wednesday morning. “Don’t know why Dems are refusing to cooperate in the cmte’s investigation I hope Dems will join me.”
Cmte investigators are following up on the leads from Dr. Ford’s allegations & news stories No other OUTSIDE investigation is necessary for the Cmte to do its investigation. Don’t know why Dems are refusing to cooperate in the cmte’s investigation I hope Dems will join me 4/4
— ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) September 19, 2018
Grassley’s declaration came hours after Ford said she will not attend a hearing with Kavanaugh scheduled for Monday that was meant to give her a chance to tell her story to committee members. He said he still wants her to show up, even if her comments are taken in private, with no cameras running.
We’re going to continue to try to hear from Dr. Ford in any format she’s comfortable w open session/closed session/private staff interviews/public staff interviews bc her information is very important. We’ve provided an opportunity for her to put her story fwd on Monday 2/4
— ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) September 19, 2018
Ford’s decision not to show up tracks with Senate Democrats who have sought a delay in the process so the FBI can investigate the alleged incident, which dates back 36 years and lacks many details.
Ford told the Washington Post that Kavanaugh held her down on a bed and tried to disrobe her while covering her mouth to conceal her screams. But two men who Ford said were present at the party say the incident did not occur.
Democrats say only the FBI has the tools to investigate the matter in a non-partisan fashion and in a way that can corroborate Ford’s claim. They warned Tuesday that holding the hearing without a preliminary FBI probe would be “a sham” that would show female voters the GOP does not take them seriously.
But Republicans are growing impatient with Ford’s claim after they agreed to delay a committee vote on Kavanaugh to give her a chance to speak. They also argue that if the charge were considered serious by Democrats, they should have reported it in July, when they received the accusation from Ford.
“If Senate Dems think they need the FBI to investigate, why didn’t they alert the FBI on July 30?” Grassley said in the multi-part tweet. “As soon as I learned of the allegations from the Washington Post on Sunday I moved swiftly to follow up on Dr. Ford’s allegations As the FBI has said its role here is complete.”
If Senate Dems think they need the FBI to investigate, why didn’t they alert the FBI on July 30? As soon as I learned of the allegations from the Washington Post on Sunday I moved swiftly to follow up on Dr. Ford’s allegations As the FBI has said its role here is complete 3/4
— ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) September 19, 2018
Republicans on the panel have so far weighed in on Grassley’s side, arguing Ford should talk to the committee on Monday and if she does not, the panel should move on and vote to advance Kavanaugh’s nomination to the floor. But Grassley has not determined when or if a committee vote will be scheduled.
“Senate Republicans are still very eager to hear from Dr. Ford, in whatever setting she might find comfortable, as Chairman Grassley has offered from the beginning,” a top GOP aide told the Washington Examiner. “But Judge Kavanaugh is eager for the opportunity to clear his name, having reached out for an opportunity to testify as early as Sunday night.”
