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Brett Kavanaugh: Jeff Flake backing sets up confirmation vote – live updates Brett Kavanaugh: Jeff Flake says yes as committee poised to vote – live updates
(35 minutes later)
Klobuchar is one of four women on the 21-person senate judiciary committee.
“This is not a ‘he said, she said,’” she says. “This is a ‘he said, they said.’”
Senator Mike Lee, Republican from Utah, retreading a Republican sticking point.
Why wasn’t Ford’s anonymous letter immediately shared with the FBI?
Now for Minnesota Democrat, Amy Klobuchar.
This is interesting. She does not lead on the Ford allegations.
Instead, she talks about Kavanaugh’s writings on executive privilege before moving on to the sexual assault allegation.
Klobuchar says she understands that people are frustrated this process happened late in the process, but says the justice system and what matters is:
“What do you do when it happens? When you are in a position of power?”
Sheldon Whitehouse, Democrat from Rhode Island, says he doesn’t believe Kavanaugh’s explanation of his own calendar.
He says the FBI has resources to more seriously investigate the contents of the calendar and what they show about Kavanaugh’s actions that night. He also says a serious investigation would not rely solely on comments as evidence.
“Over time I expect that facts to come out,” Whitehouse says. “Cover-ups never last. The sand is running through Kavanaugh’s hourglass.”
A pattern is emerging among the Republican senators, who have repeatedly showed sympathy for Mark Judge’s issues with mental health.
Cornyn says calls to subpoena Mark Judge, a recovering alcoholic and cancer survivor, are cruel because Judge suffers from anxiety and depression. “That is cruel. That is reckless. That is indecent.”
He did not mention that Ford spoke about her struggles with mental illness yesterday, telling the committee that she had experienced anxiety, claustrophobia, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
John Cornyn, Republican from Texas, is up.John Cornyn, Republican from Texas, is up.
Cornyn says it is not fair to say Republicans are treating Dr Ford badly by pointing out the politicization of the confirmation process.Cornyn says it is not fair to say Republicans are treating Dr Ford badly by pointing out the politicization of the confirmation process.
Meanwhile:Meanwhile:
Graham is interacting with another protestor now and he is being very polite and attentiveGraham is interacting with another protestor now and he is being very polite and attentive
Just came upon a truly remarkable scene: a group of women literally sitting on the concrete floor in a circle in the Hart Senate office building recounting their stories of being abused and raped. “I have literally told no one else this story before I talked to you all,” one saysJust came upon a truly remarkable scene: a group of women literally sitting on the concrete floor in a circle in the Hart Senate office building recounting their stories of being abused and raped. “I have literally told no one else this story before I talked to you all,” one says
It’s back to the Democrats, with Dick Durbin of Illinois backing Dr Ford.It’s back to the Democrats, with Dick Durbin of Illinois backing Dr Ford.
As the two sides trade interpretations of the event, it might be useful to review the University of Michigan’s guide to sexual assault misconceptions. This guide provides evidence-based clarifications of sexual assault myths.As the two sides trade interpretations of the event, it might be useful to review the University of Michigan’s guide to sexual assault misconceptions. This guide provides evidence-based clarifications of sexual assault myths.
The hearing and commentating around it has used sexual assault myths to defend arguments on both sides.The hearing and commentating around it has used sexual assault myths to defend arguments on both sides.
Facts from the University of Michigan guide:Facts from the University of Michigan guide:
“Likable and charming people commit violence, too.”“Likable and charming people commit violence, too.”
“Sexual assault is a traumatic experience, and one common reaction to the overwhelming thoughts and feelings of trauma is to attempt to forget that the situation happened and to move on.”“Sexual assault is a traumatic experience, and one common reaction to the overwhelming thoughts and feelings of trauma is to attempt to forget that the situation happened and to move on.”
“Sexual assault is an act of violence, not sex.”“Sexual assault is an act of violence, not sex.”
“The consumption of alcohol does not cause sexual assault.”“The consumption of alcohol does not cause sexual assault.”
More from Graham: “I feel sorry for her [Dr Ford]. I do believe something happened to her. But I do not believe it was Brett Kavanaugh.”More from Graham: “I feel sorry for her [Dr Ford]. I do believe something happened to her. But I do not believe it was Brett Kavanaugh.”
He then repeats the alarming, and untrue, claim he made yesterday that it is not in the character of someone who people describe as nice to commit sexual assault. Kind behavior does not preclude someone from committing sexual assault.He then repeats the alarming, and untrue, claim he made yesterday that it is not in the character of someone who people describe as nice to commit sexual assault. Kind behavior does not preclude someone from committing sexual assault.
Graham says he does not believe Diane Feinstein leaked Dr Ford’s allegations.Graham says he does not believe Diane Feinstein leaked Dr Ford’s allegations.
“This has never been about the truth,” Graham says. “This has been about delay and destruction.”“This has never been about the truth,” Graham says. “This has been about delay and destruction.”
"That really bothers me," Sen. Graham says of @NBCNews reporting this story -> https://t.co/p7IQFQMgzD"That really bothers me," Sen. Graham says of @NBCNews reporting this story -> https://t.co/p7IQFQMgzD
Back to the Republicans.Back to the Republicans.
South Carolina’s Lindsey Graham says he will speak despite people thinking a “single, white male” such as himself should “shut up.”South Carolina’s Lindsey Graham says he will speak despite people thinking a “single, white male” such as himself should “shut up.”
Graham was extremely emotional at one point during the hearing yesterday, accusing his Democratic colleagues of making this a purely political issue.Graham was extremely emotional at one point during the hearing yesterday, accusing his Democratic colleagues of making this a purely political issue.
At a much more measured register, he is now explaining why Democrats holding up Kavanaugh’s nomination is different from the Republicans holding up Merrick Garland’s nomination under Barack Obama.At a much more measured register, he is now explaining why Democrats holding up Kavanaugh’s nomination is different from the Republicans holding up Merrick Garland’s nomination under Barack Obama.
He says it is about the available seats being different. The seat available now belonged to Anthony Kennedy, who was considered the court’s crucial swing vote. Garland, meanwhile, would have replaced the seat of conservative Antonin Scalia.He says it is about the available seats being different. The seat available now belonged to Anthony Kennedy, who was considered the court’s crucial swing vote. Garland, meanwhile, would have replaced the seat of conservative Antonin Scalia.
Graham is usefully transparent about the fact that this has very little to do with jurisprudence and much to do with TrumpGraham is usefully transparent about the fact that this has very little to do with jurisprudence and much to do with Trump
Leahy expresses serious concerns about how the hearing could impact survivors of sexual assault.Leahy expresses serious concerns about how the hearing could impact survivors of sexual assault.
“If victims think they will never be believed or won’t matter even if they are believed, why come forward at all?” Leahy says.“If victims think they will never be believed or won’t matter even if they are believed, why come forward at all?” Leahy says.
He notes that yesterday the number of people helped by the National Sexual Assault Hotline was 201% above average yesterday, according to the nonprofit Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN).He notes that yesterday the number of people helped by the National Sexual Assault Hotline was 201% above average yesterday, according to the nonprofit Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN).
Republican senator Jeff Flake, one of the most prominent Trump critics in his party, was confronted by protestors earlier. The full video is here:Republican senator Jeff Flake, one of the most prominent Trump critics in his party, was confronted by protestors earlier. The full video is here:
Women confront Sen. Jeff Flake after he says he'll vote yes to Kavanuagh: “That’s what you’re telling all women in America, that they don’t matter. They should just keep it to themselves because if they have told the truth you’re just going to help that man to power anyway.” pic.twitter.com/T7fSpyT69EWomen confront Sen. Jeff Flake after he says he'll vote yes to Kavanuagh: “That’s what you’re telling all women in America, that they don’t matter. They should just keep it to themselves because if they have told the truth you’re just going to help that man to power anyway.” pic.twitter.com/T7fSpyT69E
More from Leahy, who says this is not about delaying a nomination (though, he says, Democrats did do that under Obama). More from Leahy, who says this is not about delaying a nomination (though, he says, Republicans did do that under Obama).
Leahy asks why Kavanaugh is being held “to a lower standard than all the nominees before him.”Leahy asks why Kavanaugh is being held “to a lower standard than all the nominees before him.”
“They don’t want to hear women who have relevant evidence,” Leahy says of the judiciary committee.“They don’t want to hear women who have relevant evidence,” Leahy says of the judiciary committee.
Vermont senator Patrick Leahy, a Democrat, is up and comparing the situation to Alice in Wonderland.Vermont senator Patrick Leahy, a Democrat, is up and comparing the situation to Alice in Wonderland.
Leahy says the judiciary committee is no longer an independent branch of government.Leahy says the judiciary committee is no longer an independent branch of government.
“We are an arm, a very weak arm, of the Trump White House,” Leahy says.“We are an arm, a very weak arm, of the Trump White House,” Leahy says.
Republican senator Orrin Hatch is now commending both sides of the aisle for taking the issue seriously.Republican senator Orrin Hatch is now commending both sides of the aisle for taking the issue seriously.
Hatch touting the extent to which Kavanaugh has been investigated, saying he sat through 30 hours of testimony.Hatch touting the extent to which Kavanaugh has been investigated, saying he sat through 30 hours of testimony.
He repeatedly calls the situation a “circus.”He repeatedly calls the situation a “circus.”
“Frankly, we’ve had enough time on this to choke a horse,” Hatch says.“Frankly, we’ve had enough time on this to choke a horse,” Hatch says.
“I’m personally tired of all the games and gamesmanship that his been going around,” he says.“I’m personally tired of all the games and gamesmanship that his been going around,” he says.
Now he is praising Grassley for being “fair” and “decent.”Now he is praising Grassley for being “fair” and “decent.”
“Frankly, you’re a great chairman,” Hatch says.“Frankly, you’re a great chairman,” Hatch says.
Grassley spoked extensively on the allegations made by women who were not Dr Ford.
He also falsely stated that comments made by three witnesses refuted Dr Ford’s description of the incident.
The three witnesses swore they had no recollection of the party, not that they were certain it did not happen. Just yesterday, Judge again told the committee that he doesn’t “recall” the incident. https://t.co/TAQMyStDq5 https://t.co/jpeMmsw4S2
Grassley now addresses Feinstein’s issues with how the request for an FBI investigation was handled.
“We can’t learn anything from the FBI we can’t learn ourselves,” Grassley says.
Grassley: “If the people on the other side of the aisle sincerely want an FBI investigation, I would ask why they did not notify me of Dr Ford’s then confidential letter way back in July.”
As senators trade off their different interpretations of every detail of the situation, along party lines, protests are raging in the hallway outside the committee meeting.
Women are standing in silent protest at the back of the Judiciary Committee room. They're now being led out by security. pic.twitter.com/TSC8S8VOLW
Feinstein continues, raising issues with the procedure.
“This was not about ensuring a fair process, this was about doing the bare minimum,” Feinstein says.
“Let’s be clear, Dr Ford asked for confidentiality,” Feinstein says. “We all know that if I referred allegations to the FBI when she would not come forward, there would have been nothing to do.”
“Dr Ford’s allegations were referred to the FBI on Sep 12,” Feinstein says.
Feinstein says Democrats have not had an opportunity to question any of the witnesses, the polygraph examiner or the other women who have alleged they were sexually assaulted by Kavanaugh.
“While the Republican strategy is no longer attack the victim, it is now ignore the victim,” Feinstein says.
Outside the judiciary committee meeting:
The protest here is deafening in Dirksen pic.twitter.com/NDeou0iv23
More Democratic senators have walked out.
Dianne Feinstein, one of the remaining Democrats, is now being allowed to explain her disappointment with the result of the vote.
Feinstein denies that she and her staff leaked Ford’s letter, which was sent to her office.
She says Republicans did not share information with Democrats on the committee relevant to the case and claims they learned things from the press that were in the hands of their Republican colleagues.
Feinstein said she was shocked that Kavanaugh launched such a strong attack against Democrats.
“Judge Kavanaugh used as much political rhetoric as my colleagues,” she said.
“This was not someone who reflected an impartial temperament or the fairness and even-handedness one would see in a judge.”
Democrats are walking out of the hearing as Grassley reads a statement about Kavanaugh.
“I found Dr Ford’s testimony credible and I believe she is sincere in her version of the facts,” Grassley says.
He says he also found Kavanaugh’s statement credible.
“There is simply no reason to deny Judge Kavanaugh a seat on the supreme court,” he says, citing the evidence presented to them.
Feinstein, Leahy, Durbin, Klobuchar, Coons and Booker remain.
Chuck Grassley moves to have the committee vote on Kavanaugh at 1:30pm ET. He ignored protests from Democrats and did not debate the vote.
The majority voted in favor 11-8, with Democratic senators Cory Booker and Kamala Harris declining to vote, citing unfairness.
Grassley is now reading a letter he says Mark Judge sent the committee last night.
“I’ve told the committee I do not want to comment about these events publicly,” Grassley said, quoting Judge’s letter.
He identifies himself as a recovering alcoholic and cancer survivor who suffers from depression and anxiety and does not speak publicly.
Blumenthal’s motion to subpoena Mark Judge is struck down in a quick 11-10 vote.
The hearing is under way.
Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, asks for the vote to be postponed until the committee hears from more witnesses.
He spoke about Dr Ford’s testimony first. “Everyone of us I think were riveted and powerfully impressed by her truth,” he said.
Blumenthal says more facts could be uncovered if the committee hears from other witnesses. He specifically raises making Kavanaugh’s high school friend, Mark Judge, a formal witness.
“I believe we have a responsibility to subpoena at the very least Mark Judge before we move to vote,” Blumenthal says.
Protestors confronted Flake for about three to five minutes as he waited in a elevator to go to the hearing.
At least one of the protestors identified herself as a survivor of sexual assault.
“Don’t look away from me,” one woman said. “Look at me and tell me that it doesn’t matter what happened to me.”