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Brett Kavanaugh: The nomination and the allegations in 300 words Brett Kavanaugh: The nomination and the allegations in 300 words
(7 days later)
US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh has given defiant testimony after he was accused of sexual misconduct by several women. An FBI report about US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh has been given to US senators ahead of a vote to confirm him.
At a combative hearing in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, he denied the allegations and pledged never to give up. The investigation was commissioned after a series of allegations of sexual misconduct were made against him.
It followed testimony from Doctor Christine Blasey Ford, a research psychologist who said an assault by Mr Kavanaugh 36 years ago had "drastically" affected her life. Last week, at a combative hearing in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the judge denied the allegations and pledged never to give up.
The committee must now vote on his confirmation, which will then go to the full Senate. It followed testimony from Doctor Christine Blasey Ford, a research psychologist, who said an assault by Mr Kavanaugh 36 years ago had "drastically" affected her life.
Republican and Democrat senators are divided over the nomination and, with only a 51-49 party split, his confirmation hangs in the balance.
Why does this matter?Why does this matter?
If Mr Kavanaugh is confirmed he could tilt the balance of the Supreme Court in favour of Republicans for decades.If Mr Kavanaugh is confirmed he could tilt the balance of the Supreme Court in favour of Republicans for decades.
Judges hold the position for life and the nine-member court has the final say on US law, including on contentious social issues and challenges to government policy.Judges hold the position for life and the nine-member court has the final say on US law, including on contentious social issues and challenges to government policy.
This is why Mr Kavanaugh's record came under immediate scrutiny when he was nominated by President Trump in July.
A letter by Dr Ford then emerged in which she made claims of sexual assault against him.
What are the accusations?What are the accusations?
Dr Ford claims Mr Kavanaugh tried to force himself on her at a party in the 1980s. Dr Ford claims Mr Kavanaugh tried to force himself on her at a party in the 1980s when he was 17.
Shortly after, Judge Kavanaugh's Yale university classmate Deborah Ramirez told the New Yorker he had exposed himself at a dormitory party. Judge Kavanaugh's classmate at Yale University, Deborah Ramirez, then told the New Yorker he exposed himself to her at a party.
A third woman, Julie Swetnick, has alleged she was the victim of a gang rape in 1982 at a party the judge attended. A third woman, Julie Swetnick, alleges she was the victim of a gang rape in 1982 at a party the judge attended.
He has rejected all the accusations as untrue. He has rejected all the accusations.
At his hearing he also denied drinking excessively to the point of blacking out - something some of Mr Kavanaugh's school and university classmates have contested.
What happens now?What happens now?
After the committee vote, the full Senate debates the nomination and votes on it. This might happen in the middle of next week. A confirmation vote in the full Senate is expected on Saturday.
Republicans want their nominee in place before mid-term elections next month, when they could lose their 51-49 control of the Senate. Republicans want their nominee in place before mid-term elections next month, when they could lose their control of the chamber.
But it is unclear if they have the support as a number of key senators remain undecided. But with such a small majority, they need all their members to vote along party lines.