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Brett Kavanaugh supreme court hearing: chairman denies Democrat motion to delay proceedings – live Brett Kavanaugh supreme court hearing: chairman denies Democrat motion to delay proceedings – live
(35 minutes later)
Sen. Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Senate Democrat, acknowledged the protests at the top of his remarks: “What we’ve heard is the noise of democracy. This is what happens in a free country when people can stand up and speak.” He added, in a rebuke of Cornyn: “It is not mob rule.”
Durbin closes by asking Kavanugh to show that he has nothing to hide by calling on the committee to suspend the hearing until his records are released to the public.
“Step up, ask this gathering to suspend,” Durbin said, as Kavanaugh scribbled in his notepad. (These are just opening remarks, so the judge can’t actually respond yet.)
Republicans counter that Democrats have already made up their minds about Kavanaugh and that their interruptions and delay requests are just for show.
(1) Booker at the Kavanaugh hearing: We just need more time to carefully consider this nomination. What’s the Rush?(2) Inbox, moments ago: pic.twitter.com/GUj7NIyf9B
Republicans hand out this as the senators continue to argue. “Minds made up” it says. “senate judiciary committee democrats rallied against judge Kavanaugh before the ink was dry on his nomination.” pic.twitter.com/VHTo0GkVpY
More than 30 women have been arrested so far during today’s hearing on Brett Kavanaugh, according to the Women’s March. Among them were the group’s co-founders Linda Sarsour and Bob Bland, Women’s March senior advisor Winnie Wong and Orange is the New Black creator Piper Perabo.
“Women are disrupting this hearing today because our lives are at risk. Women will die if Kavanaugh is confirmed,” Rachel O’Leary Carmona, chief operating officer of Women’s March, said in a statement.
“Politicians on both sides of the aisle need to know – if you don’t stop Kavanaugh, we will make you pay in November and in 2020. If you’re a Democrat, we’ll primary you - if you’re a Republican, your seat will be flipped. The gloves are off, the rings are on, and we’re ready to resist the fight that chose us.
“There is a political price to pay if you’re complicit in Trump’s white supremacist agenda: you will be voted out.”
Sen. Cornyn begins his statement by remarking on how cooly Kavanaugh and his family have handled the protests.
Soon he’s interrupted by a woman outraged that the senators haven’t received all of teh requested documents on his record: “I had to have a background check to work in a laundromat!”
In conclusion, Cornyn says he hopes that every can take a “deep breath” as they move forward into the next phase of the hearing. “We’re not doing well so far,” he jokes, drawing a few polite laughs.
Senator Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat, called the hearing “not only shameful, it’s a sham”. He said pointedly as Kavanaugh sat stone-faced before him that the judge should not even be in the room.
Highlighting his 44-year service in Congress, Leahy said: the confirmation hearing is the “most incomplete, most partisan, least transport vetting for any supreme court nominee that I’ve ever seen and I’ve seen more of those than anyone serving in the senate today”.
This is a dangerous game to play in this age of stark partisanship. Nonetheless ...
Consider the flipside. A Democratic president is elected after vowing to pick SCOTUS nominees who'd overturn—for e.g.—the Heller gun rights ruling. Then the nominee refuses to say when asked and offers bromides about applying the law fairly. Would he/she get the benefit of doubt?
Feinstein introduces some of the notable attendees. Among them are cancer survivors, LGBTQ rights activists, reproductive rights activists, Fred Guttenberg, father of Parkland shooting victim Jaime Guttenberg, civil rights leader Al Sharpton.Feinstein introduces some of the notable attendees. Among them are cancer survivors, LGBTQ rights activists, reproductive rights activists, Fred Guttenberg, father of Parkland shooting victim Jaime Guttenberg, civil rights leader Al Sharpton.
Sen. Orrin Hatch, a Republican of Utah, says he knows a good nominee when he sees one. After all, he says, he’s been a part of 15 confirmation hearings and seen the appointments of every member of the eight justices currently on the court.Sen. Orrin Hatch, a Republican of Utah, says he knows a good nominee when he sees one. After all, he says, he’s been a part of 15 confirmation hearings and seen the appointments of every member of the eight justices currently on the court.
He accuses Democrats of “turning the volume up to 11” to convince the American public that Kavanaugh is the “four horseman of the apocalypse”.He accuses Democrats of “turning the volume up to 11” to convince the American public that Kavanaugh is the “four horseman of the apocalypse”.
But as his remarks are interrupted by multiple protesters, he becomes irritated and asks the chairman to stop the outbursts. “These people are so out of line they shouldn’t even be allowed in the doggone room,” he says.But as his remarks are interrupted by multiple protesters, he becomes irritated and asks the chairman to stop the outbursts. “These people are so out of line they shouldn’t even be allowed in the doggone room,” he says.
Outside of the hearing room, protesters continue to chant “stop Kavanaugh”. They yell louder every time the door is open, drowning out the senator’s remarks.Outside of the hearing room, protesters continue to chant “stop Kavanaugh”. They yell louder every time the door is open, drowning out the senator’s remarks.
“I’m sorry you’re going to have to go through some of this nonsense that’s coming your way,” Hatch says.“I’m sorry you’re going to have to go through some of this nonsense that’s coming your way,” Hatch says.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein raises several protections and rights that she is worried Kavanaugh will roll back, including access to abortion, gun control, among other issues.Sen. Dianne Feinstein raises several protections and rights that she is worried Kavanaugh will roll back, including access to abortion, gun control, among other issues.
You’re being nominated for a pivotal seat. It would likely be the deciding vote on fundamental issues. ...You’re being nominated for a pivotal seat. It would likely be the deciding vote on fundamental issues. ...
Behind the noise is really a very sincere believe that it is so important to preserve a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multi-economic a court that really serves the people and really serves this great democracy. That’s my worry.Behind the noise is really a very sincere believe that it is so important to preserve a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multi-economic a court that really serves the people and really serves this great democracy. That’s my worry.
A spokeswoman for the Capitol Police said that as of 10:19am EST, 22 individuals have been arrested so far this morning. They have been charged with disorderly conduct.A spokeswoman for the Capitol Police said that as of 10:19am EST, 22 individuals have been arrested so far this morning. They have been charged with disorderly conduct.
At least half a dozen more protesters were removed from the hearing room since then. Police say they will update the count at the end of the day.At least half a dozen more protesters were removed from the hearing room since then. Police say they will update the count at the end of the day.
Meanwhile, the White House is apparently tallying the number of times Democrats have interrupted the hearing.Meanwhile, the White House is apparently tallying the number of times Democrats have interrupted the hearing.
The White House is tallying interruptions during Kavanaugh’s hearing pic.twitter.com/ppiu0x5yyRThe White House is tallying interruptions during Kavanaugh’s hearing pic.twitter.com/ppiu0x5yyR
In his remarks, Grassley calls Kavanaugh “one of the most qualified if not the most qualified nominee that I’ve seen” and “the kind of judge Americans want on the Supreme Court”.In his remarks, Grassley calls Kavanaugh “one of the most qualified if not the most qualified nominee that I’ve seen” and “the kind of judge Americans want on the Supreme Court”.
He urges the judge to follow the precedent set by his predecessors and not provide explicit answers on how he might rule from the bench. Quoting justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the court’s liberal lion, Grassley advises Kavanugh to offer “no hints, no forecasts, no previews” of how he’d rule.He urges the judge to follow the precedent set by his predecessors and not provide explicit answers on how he might rule from the bench. Quoting justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the court’s liberal lion, Grassley advises Kavanugh to offer “no hints, no forecasts, no previews” of how he’d rule.
Grassley’s opening statement is drowned out in the room by a series of protesters. The Iowa Republican doesn’t stop reading from his remarks.Grassley’s opening statement is drowned out in the room by a series of protesters. The Iowa Republican doesn’t stop reading from his remarks.
“Kavanaugh is a threat to this democracy,” one man said. “We already went through this in the 80s,” another woman shouted.“Kavanaugh is a threat to this democracy,” one man said. “We already went through this in the 80s,” another woman shouted.
From the perch of this reporter, it’s impossible to see Kavanaugh’s face as the Democrats and Republicans argue. But here’s a look at what senators see.From the perch of this reporter, it’s impossible to see Kavanaugh’s face as the Democrats and Republicans argue. But here’s a look at what senators see.
Brett Kavanaugh through the entirety of his hearing so far. pic.twitter.com/hL06WLcfw4Brett Kavanaugh through the entirety of his hearing so far. pic.twitter.com/hL06WLcfw4
Here’s a little background on those “confidential documents” they keep referencing.Here’s a little background on those “confidential documents” they keep referencing.
CONFIDENTIAL DOCS:- So far Grassley's office says only one Democrat has requested permission to talk about 4 documents. - That's Klobuchar. Her request totals 12 pages, says Grassley's office.CONFIDENTIAL DOCS:- So far Grassley's office says only one Democrat has requested permission to talk about 4 documents. - That's Klobuchar. Her request totals 12 pages, says Grassley's office.
Buckle in. The hearing began over one hour ago and no one has yet to give their opening statements.Buckle in. The hearing began over one hour ago and no one has yet to give their opening statements.
We’re expecting opening statements from all the senators and Kavanaugh himself.We’re expecting opening statements from all the senators and Kavanaugh himself.
Senator Cornyn says he’s never seen a supreme court confirmation hearing overtaken by “mob rule.” The crowd titters at the comment.Senator Cornyn says he’s never seen a supreme court confirmation hearing overtaken by “mob rule.” The crowd titters at the comment.
“At some point are we going to get to hear from the nominee?” asks senator John Kennedy, a Republican from Louisiana. Grassley said he had hoped to hear from him before 2.30pm but isn’t sure anymore.“At some point are we going to get to hear from the nominee?” asks senator John Kennedy, a Republican from Louisiana. Grassley said he had hoped to hear from him before 2.30pm but isn’t sure anymore.
Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley says there is "absolutely no reason" to delay Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing pic.twitter.com/lUHnxtU3HE
Blumenthal’s request for a vote to delay the hearing is dismissed as “out of order” by the chairman. Blumenthal says that if his motion is ignored and the hearing goes ahead, “this process will be tainted and stained forever.”
“Motion is denied,” Grassley said.
Democrats are arguing that they received “a 40,000 page document dump” on Monday night and have not had a chance to review them yet.
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat from Rhode Island, interjects to say that they would have to have read 7,000 pages an hour to finish the documents before today’s hearing.
Senator John Cornyn, the second-ranking Republican, said if the hearing were a courtroom his Democratic colleagues would be held in “contempt of court” for their lack of “civility”. The crowd boos.
The chairman says, drawing a light chuckle, that the reason he’s displaying such patiences is because he plans to keep the hearings going throughout the weekend and for as long as it takes to ultimately confirm Kavanaugh.
As such he says he’ll accomodate Democrats objections and requests: “It takes longer to argue why you shouldn’t do anything than to just let people argue. We’re going to be in session Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday... However long they’re going to take. If people have got something to say this chairman’s going to let them say it.”
Some perspective on this morning’s raucous start
I’ve covered five other Supreme Court confirmation hearings. None of them included anything like the chaos in the opening minutes of the Kavanaugh hearings this morning.
Kavanaugh is here with his wife, Ashley, his two daughters, Margaret and Eliza, his parents and extended family. He is now being given an opportunity to introduce himself and his family.
Here’s Kavanaugh arriving in the hearing room earlier this morning:
Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh has arrived for his first day of confirmation hearings before the Senate. https://t.co/zM9mcuhYvSWatch it live: https://t.co/om79ODyWih pic.twitter.com/A0KWBj7qwv
This hearing is off to a turbulent start.
Democrats interrupted Chairman Chuck Grassley, a Republican of Iowa, the moment he started his opening statement. They’re demanding a delay in the hearing until more documents are released and there is more time to review the documents that have been released.
The first request came from Senator Kamala Harris, a Democrat of California. Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat of Connecticut, then asked for the meeting to be postponed. The small gallery of observers erupted in applause. And then several women began shouting “Vote no on Kavanaugh”.
One woman shouted as she was removed from the hearing: “If you vote for Brett Kavanaugh we will replace you.” Another shouted: “My daughter deserves the right to choose.”
Meanwhile, Democrats and Grassley continue to go back and forth.
Another outcry: "If you vote for Brett Kavanaugh we will replace you."Democrats meanwhile are trying to get the hearing postponed. https://t.co/w4C1C5Q2C7
Opponents of Kavanaugh protested his nomination outside the Hart office building where he is set to testify on Tuesday morning. Some protesters wore red robes and white caps which are worn by the handmaids in Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel.
Though they remain silent, their message is clear: Kavanaugh’s nomination will roll back women’s rights
Protesters wearing Handmaids Tale robes outside of the Supreme Court confirmation Heading for Brett Kavanaugh this morning pic.twitter.com/ZAKajK3Dy7
Ahead of the hearing, Democratic members of the Senate judiciary committee held a press conference railing against what they called a “historically secretive and opaque” vetting process. They blamed Senate Republicans and the Trump administration for “hiding” millions of documents related to Kavanaugh’s work in the Bush White House and warned that his confirmation would pose a threat to key protections and rights.
Dianne Feinstein, the ranking Senate Democrat on the committee, said:
This morning, the Senate is going to hold hearings on the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the United States supreme court. He’s being nominated to a seat that’s pivotal, that will be the deciding vote on some of the most important issues of our day. So the Democratic caucus has gathered here today to essentially state a silent protest. We will attend the meetings, we will question assiduously, but we want to express our concerns. I’ve had 9 supreme court hearings. Pat Leahy has had more than I. But I’ve never had a hearing like this where documents are so difficult to get. When Justice Scalia died, Republicans refused to even meet with President Obama’s nominee, and they held the seat open for the entire year. Now with a Republican in the White House they’ve changed their position. The majority rushed into their hearing, and is refusing to even look at the nominee’s full record. 93% of the records from Kavanaugh’s tenure in the White House as counsel and staff secretary have not been provided to the Senate and 96% are hidden from the public. And now for the first time ever, we’ve been told the White House is withholding over 100,000 pages from Kavanaugh’s tenure in the White House counsel’s office with no explanation of what the topics are and no formal claim of executive privilege. And last night 42,000 documents were sent over. Obviously no one has been able to look at them yet. Judiciary Democrats are sending a letter to White House counsel demanding these documents be immediately turned over to the Senate.
As you know, executive privilege has never before been invoked to block the release of presidential records to the Senate during a supreme court nomination. In fact when Elena Kagan was nominated President Obama announced he would not invoke executive privilege over any of her White House records. When John Roberts was nominated, President Bush announced he would not invoke executive privilege over any of his White House records. And when Justice Rehnquist was nominated, the committee refused to go forward with hearings until the White House produced records over which it initially indicated it might claim privilege. By contrast the Trump White House is withholding thousands of pages of Brett Kavanaugh’s records from Congress and admits it’s doing so without actually asserting a legal privilege.
The supreme court confirmation hearings for Judge Brett Kavanaugh begin on Tuesday. If confirmed, Kavanaugh, 53, would be the crowning achievement of a 30-year effort by conservatives to reshape the federal judiciary. The hearing is expected to last four days.
We’ll take you live to Hart 216, the room where the members of the Senate judiciary committee will question the Republican stalwart whose confirmation would probably solidify a conservative majority on the nation’s highest court.
The first day of hearings will include opening statements from the chair, Chuck Grassley, a Republican, and the ranking Democrat, Dianne Feinstein as well as the other senators and Kavanaugh himself. Questions are expected to begin on Wednesday, and votes in committee and on the Senate floor could occur later in September.
Expect Kavanaugh’s opponents to pose sharp questions as they try to extract definitive answers from the nominee on issues such as abortion rights and executive authority. Democrats are already infuriated by the White House’s decision to withhold 100,000 documents related to the judge’s work in George W Bush’s administration.
Republicans will likely use their time to cast Kavanaugh as a supremely qualified and well-respected judge. It is unlikely they will present him with tough questions.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said he wants Kavanaugh confirmed before the court begins its new term on 1 October.