After announcing Friday morning he would vote for Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh, Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ) said this afternoon he wants a full Senate vote on the nomination to be delayed.
.@JeffFlake: “I think it would be proper to delay the floor vote for up to but not more than one week, in order to let the FBI do an investigation, limited in time and scope to the current allegations that are there.” https://t.co/FVPyEJhAJf pic.twitter.com/GZbxe2MPWb
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 28, 2018
Going back on his word, Flake also said he is not comfortable voting for Kavanaugh on the full floor unless an FBI investigation is completed.
"After hearing more than 30 hours of testimony from Judge Kavanaugh earlier this month, I was prepared to support his nomination based on his view of the law and his record as a judge. In fact, I commented at the time that had he been nominated in another era, he would have likely received 90+ votes," Flake released in a statement Thursday morning. "When Dr. Ford’s allegations against Judge Kavanaugh surfaced two weeks ago, I insisted that she be allowed to testify before the committee moved to a vote. Yesterday, we heard compelling testimony from Dr. Ford, as well as a persuasive response from Judge Kavanaugh. I wish that I could express the confidence that some of my colleagues have conveyed about what either did or did not happen in the early 1980s, but I left the hearing yesterday with as much doubt as certainty."
"What I do know is that our system of justice affords a presumption of innocence to the accused, absent corroborating evidence. That is what binds us to the rule of law. While some may argue that a different standard should apply regarding the Senate’s advice and consent responsibilities, I believe that the constitution’s provisions of fairness and due process apply here as well," he continued. "I will vote to confirm Judge Kavanaugh.”
Flake's change in attitude came after Democrats cornered him in the Committee room just ahead of the first vote.
Jeff Flake announced he would vote YES on Kavanaugh and now he’s being screamed at and cornered in an elevator. pic.twitter.com/UjnsKaC4uR
— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) September 28, 2018
Senator Chris Coon (D-DE) cried earlier when he found out his friend, Flake, announced he would vote for Kavanaugh to be confirmed.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates.