Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee Chuck Grassley rejected Brett Kavanaugh’s accuser’s request for a formal FBI investigation into her allegations Wednesday; urging Dr. Christine Blasey Ford to speak with Congressional leaders this Monday.
Grassley posted a lengthy response to her attorney’s claim that Ford refuses to speak with Congress until the FBI completed a thorough probe into the accusations, saying “No other OUTSIDE investigation is necessary for the [Committee] to do its investigation.
Dr. Ford shouldn’t be threatened or insulted & she deserves to be heard. I expect my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to be respectful & treat this situation with the sensitivity it deserves 1/4
— ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) September 19, 2018
We’re going to continue to try to hear from Dr. Ford in any format she's comfortable w open session/closed session/private staff interviews/public staff interviews bc her information is very important. We’ve provided an opportunity for her to put her story fwd on Monday 2/4
— ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) September 19, 2018
If Senate Dems think they need the FBI to investigate, why didn’t they alert the FBI on July 30? As soon as I learned of the allegations from the Washington Post on Sunday I moved swiftly to follow up on Dr. Ford’s allegations As the FBI has said its role here is complete 3/4
— ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) September 19, 2018
Cmte investigators are following up on the leads from Dr. Ford’s allegations & news stories No other OUTSIDE investigation is necessary for the Cmte to do its investigation. Don’t know why Dems are refusing to cooperate in the cmte’s investigation I hope Dems will join me 4/4
— ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) September 19, 2018
Sen. Dianne Feinstein stunned the nation days ago when she revealed she had sent a letter to the FBI containing Dr. Ford’s accusations; containing allegations of sexual misconduct by Kavanaugh approximately 36 years ago.
UPDATE: Kavanaugh Accuser Demands FBI Investigation Before She Testifies
The confirmation process of President Trump’s pick to join the US Supreme Court took a dramatic turn Tuesday evening, when Brett Kavanaugh’s accuser requested a complete investigation by the FBI before speaking with Congressional leaders.
According to the Associated Press, the lawyer for Christine Blasey Ford confirmed the professor would likely not attend Monday’s scheduled hearing surrounding her allegations of sexual misconduct by Kavanaugh approximately 36 years ago.
An FBI probe “should be the first step in addressing the allegations,” said Ford’s attorney.
GOP Senator Bob Corker pushed back against the request, saying “If we don’t hear from both sides on Monday, let’s vote.”
After learning of the allegation, Chairman @ChuckGrassley took immediate action to ensure both Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh have the opportunity to be heard, in public or private. Republicans extended a hand in good faith. If we don’t hear from both sides on Monday, let’s vote.
— Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) September 19, 2018
“It is imperative the Judiciary committee move forward on the Kavanaugh nomination and a committee vote be taken ASAP,” added Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Read the full story at Fox News.
GRASSLEY SPEAKS: Senate Judiciary Chairman Releases Kavanaugh Statement
Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Chuck Grassley released a statement regarding President Trump’s pick to join the Supreme Court Monday afternoon; saying Brett Kavanaugh’s accuser “deserves to be heard” in an “appropriate manner.”
Grassley officially commented on the growing controversy just days after Sen. Dianne Feinstein disclosed a letter sent to the FBI that contained allegations of sexual misconduct when Kavanaugh attended high school approximately 35 years ago.
“Anyone who comes forward as Dr. Ford has deserves to be heard, so I will continue working on a way to hear her out in an appropriate, precedented and respectful manner,” said the statement from Grassley’s office.
The Senator added the Judiciary Committee will be “working diligently to get to the bottom of these claims.”
“The standard procedure for updates to any nominee’s background investigation file is to conduct separate follow-up calls with relevant parties,” said the statement.
Read the full report at the Hill.