Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) believes men have no say in the accusations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. A woman named Christine Blasey Ford alleges that he sexually assaulted her in high school. She was invited to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee but has yet to accept the invite. Some Republican lawmakers have told the press that if Ford fails to show up, they will move to proceed with Kavanaugh's nomination. Others have suggested that Ford may be confused about her story and has gotten her facts "mixed up."
Hirono has heard enough. She said her male colleagues - and all men in general - need to "shut up" about the Kavanaugh controversy.
Sen. Hirono: “Guess who's perpetuating all of these kinds of actions? It's the men in this country. I just want to say to the men in this country, just shut up! And step up. Do the right thing for a change.” pic.twitter.com/IvLGAQfH7W
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) September 18, 2018
In an interview with Politico Magazine, Hirono revealed that the Democrats have a mind to keep the empty Supreme Court seat vacant for two years, when they can hopefully get a Democrat in the White House.
If Kavanaugh’s nomination fizzles and President Donald Trump has to name a replacement, Hirono says he better find someone whom she considers less of a conservative ideologue, or else prepare for Senate Democrats—especially if they win a majority in November’s elections—to keep the court seat vacant until after the 2020 election.
“I think we’ve had those kinds of vacancies before, and we certainly had over a one-year vacancy with Merrick Garland,” said Hirono. “So the world does not come to an end because we don’t fill all of the nominees.”
Ford's lawyers sent Chairman Chuck Grassley a letter explaining why their client has not agreed to testify. They allege that the committee is making her sit at the same table as Kavanaugh and that the senators already have their mind made up about her. They also want an FBI investigation before offering a testimony. But, Grassley said the hearing will proceed as planned, whether she shows up or not.
President Trump did not take Hirono's advice and weighed in on the media reports Wednesday morning. He said Ford deserves to be heard and it would be "unfortunate" if she didn't show up. But, he also commended his nominee and said that Kavanaugh has an "unblemished record."
