Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, on Monday called on Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley to let Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and the woman accusing him of sexual assault in the 1980s, Christine Blasey Ford, testify under oath before the committee before the Senate votes on Kavanaugh’s nomination.
“Professor Ford and Judge Kavanaugh should both testify under oath before the Judiciary Committee,” Collins tweeted Monday.
Professor Ford and Judge Kavanaugh should both testify under oath before the Judiciary Committee.
— Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) September 17, 2018
Collins’ demand is one that could significantly slow down Kavanaugh’s confirmation process, as it could take time to set up a committee hearing. Some Democrats have already suggested a hearing this week would be too quick, and that they need more time to learn about Ford’s accusations before a hearing is held.
Republicans are still hoping to have Grassley’s committee confirm Kavanaugh this week.
Ford told the Washington Post on the record Sunday about an alleged incident between herself and Kavanaugh during a high school party in the early 1980s. Ford claimed Kavanaugh held her on her back on a bed during a house party in Maryland. She accused Kavanaugh of groping her and said he tried to undress her. She said she was able to escape only after a friend jumped on them.
Other Republicans have said they also want more time to consider the allegations, although none have said explicitly that they want a public hearing for that purpose.
One of the 11 Republican members of the committee, Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., said the committee needs to hear Ford out before a vote.
“If they push forward without any attempt with hearing what she’s had to say, I’m not comfortable voting yes,” Flake told Politico. “We need to hear from her. And I don’t think I’m alone in this.”
Ford’s lawyer, Debra Katz, said on live television Monday that her client would testify before the committee. Kavanaugh has said he is willing to testify and answer any questions the senators on the committee might have. Kavanaugh was spotted at the White House Monday morning, but the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the Washington Examiner as to why Kavanaugh was on location.
“I am willing to talk to the Senate Judiciary Committee in any way the committee deems appropriate to refute this false allegation, from 36 years ago, and defend my integrity,” he said in his statement.
The Supreme Court nominee says the allegations Ford has brought against him are “completely false.”
“This is a completely false allegation. I have never done anything like what the accuser describes — to her or to anyone,” Kavanaugh said in a statement. “Because this never happened, I had no idea who was making this accusation until she identified herself yesterday.”
