Top Republicans have drawn their line in the sand. They stand behind Judge Brett Kavanaugh and hope he’s confirmed this weekend. The Kavanaugh nomination has been engulfed in chaos and downright nastiness, as sexual misconduct allegations, all of which are without evidence or corroborating witnesses, were hurled at the judge at the last minute. There’s been a weeklong delay in the final vote to ensure the bureau could review these allegations.
At a press conference, Senate Majority Mitch McConnell said that the recent release of the FBI report did not corroborate any of the sexual misconduct allegations against Judge Brett Kavanaugh. He added that there’s nothing Senate Republicans can do to satisfy Democrats. They’ve continued to move the goal posts.
McConnell on Kavanaugh:
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) October 4, 2018
The FBI report did not corroborate any of the allegations
McConnell on the Democrats:
Nothing we would do would satisfy them
Grassley: Judge Kavanaugh should be confirmed on Saturday
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) October 4, 2018
Grassley said based on qualifications he feels very good about where this nomination stands right now. He also said that since July 10, the process started to go downhill when Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats would do everything to stop this nomination. We’ve had a fair and thorough process, but Grassley lamented that he’s been dealing with the Left’s demolition derby and that they just about destroyed a good person for the Supreme Court. He also noted that we’re 87 days into this nomination, which is three weeks longer than the process for the last three or four nominees to the Supreme Court.
Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) expressed disappointment in his Democratic colleagues for what they’re doing and noted that it’s just plain wrong to do what they’ve done all because they feel Donald Trump shouldn’t pick judicial nominees.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) said there’s more at stake than just this nomination; the Senate is on trial here. He added that a vote against this nomination is a vote for abusing the confirmation process, and a vote for the shameful intimidation tactics that have been orchestrated as part of this coordinated left-wing smear campaign.
Cornyn said that Judge Kavanaugh wasn't subjected to a fair process, but the circus ends this weekend.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) said he believes something happened to Christine Blasey Ford, the first woman who alleges Kavanaugh tried to rape her at a high school party, but that there’s no evidence to suggest it was Kavanaugh. He also defended Kavanaugh’s emotional and intense defense of his reputation and character before the Senate Judiciary Committee, given the smears he’s been subjected to over the past few days.
Grassley also took a parting shot at the media, noting that more than a few reporters turned down interviewing pro-Kavanaugh protesters outside his office. He said he doesn’t normally use the term fake news, having the utmost respect for the media as policemen for our democratic institutions, but noted the bias has been explicit.
McConnell filed the cloture motion last night. A final vote is expected on Saturday. So far, Sens. Flake, Murkowski, and Collins are undecided. Sens. Donnelly and Heitkamp are no votes. The slim GOP majority leaves little room for error. They can only afford two defections.
Chuck Grassley is getting angry at reporters: "Now I would never use the word Fake News...but I want to show where some of you have shown bias," he says, adding that reporters refused to interview some pro-Kavanaugh protesters.
— Grace Segers ?? (@Grace_Segers) October 4, 2018
.@ChuckGrassley pretty angry right now saying "I would never use the term fake news... but I want to show where some of you have bias."
— Alexandra Limon (@AlexLimonNews) October 4, 2018
Says some reporters turned down interviews with pro Kavanaugh protesters outside of his office.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member