Next week’s plans for a public hearing to address a sexual assault claim against President Trump’s Supreme Court pick were on the brink of collapsing Tuesday, after Democrats who initially demanded a hearing called for a delay, and were backed by a lawyer for the alleged victim, who said she wants an FBI investigation before any hearing is held.
After insisting on a public hearing to hear Christine Blasey Ford’s accusations against Judge Brett Kavanaugh, Democrats started demanding that Republicans “shut up, step up and do the right thing” and delay the hearing they set for Monday. They said the meeting was hastily planned and won’t provide enough time to summon witnesses and let them prepare.
[New: In fast-moving events, Kavanaugh accuser refuses Monday hearing; nominee appears confident]
Then, late Tuesday, Ford’s lawyer said the FBI should investigate her claims before any hearing is held, leaving it up to Republicans whether to hold a hearing without her, a move that could draw opposition from a few key GOP senators.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, indicated he might move ahead with the Monday meeting. He replied late Tuesday that an FBI investigation wouldn’t have any bearing on what she tells the committee, “so there is no reason for any further delay.”
The battle over how to handle the hearing had led to sparring all day. Republicans argued that by seeking a delay, Democrats were taking a page from the Anita Hill playbook in an effort to block Kavanaugh for political reasons, just a week before he was poised to be confirmed by the Senate.
Both sides were left fuming at the other as they left town Tuesday, and left Kavanaugh’s fate in uncertain territory.
Sen. Kristen Gillibrand, D-N.Y., warned Republicans against preparing for a “sham hearing” that she said would “send a very clear message that women are not treated properly in this country.”
“To me, the timing of this is incredibly suspect,” Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., the number-four Senate Republican, said Tuesday of the Democrats’ tactics.
The dispute blew up what had been a bipartisan atmosphere that existed thanks to this year’s agreement on major spending bills.
In response to calls from Democrats and even some Republicans, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, set up a hearing next Monday that he hopes can be used to hear from both Kavanaugh and Ford. Grassley also postponed his planned Thursday vote in committee to advance the nomination, as well as the nomination of several other lower court judges.
But by Monday, Democrats were already refusing to participate in the background calls that Grassley’s staff was setting up to prepare for the hearing. Grassley said Democrats were invited to participate, but he said so far, ranking member Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., had shown no interest.
Instead, Feinstein was calling on Grassley to postpone the hearing. “I think it should be delayed,” Feinstein told reporters Tuesday.
Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, said Republicans were “victimizing” Ford, and never asked to see if Ford was available on Monday. She added that she believes Ford’s accusation despite a denial by Kavanaugh who suggested it’s a case of mistaken identity.
“Guess who’s perpetuating all of these kinds of actions? It’s the men in this country,” Hirono said. “I just want to say to the men in this country just shut up and step up. Do the right thing for a change.”
THe GOP decided Tuesday to dig in and argue that they have no plans to reschedule the hearing. They blamed Feinstein for forcing them off their schedule by concealing Ford’s accusation for seven weeks until it was leaked to the media on Thursday, a week after Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings concluded and days before a committee vote was scheduled to advance his nomination.
Republicans made it clear they’re willing to hear Ford’s accusations in public or even in a private hearing, but are less willing to take weeks more to discuss an issue that Democrats themselves never raised during his confirmation process.
“The ranking member of the Judiciary Committee had notice of this for quite some time and decided to spring it right at the end,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. “It’s pretty obvious this is all about delaying the process.”
“She’s been asking for the opportunity to be heard, and she’s going to be given the opportunity on Monday,” McConnell added. It’s not yet clear what Republicans would do if Ford declines to show up on Monday.
But late Tuesday, it was unclear how Republicans would proceed. Many were left wondering Tuesday why Ford had decided against testifying in a private setting.
“If I were her, I would appear,” Thune said. “I don’t know why she wouldn’t take full advantage of it. If she has something she wants to say to the committee she thinks bears on this nominee’s qualifications and character, et cetera, then that’s something this committee needs to know.”
