Following Democratic senators walking out of the morning vote to confirm D.C. Circuit Court Judge Brett Kavanaugh, the Senate Judiciary Committee votes through the nominee in a highly politicized manner. The vote comes less than 24 hours after the morning-long highly emotional testimony from Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, who accused the nominee of sexual assault over three decades ago at a house party in suburban Maryland.
Senator Jeff Flake started off before the quorum vote, saying that he’d been talking with Democrats about the motions for Judge Kavanaugh and the hearings. He referenced that he and a contingent of Democrats on the committee have been working to make sure there is “due diligence” with the confirmation process in light of the accusations. He said that he would vote to follow through with a confirmation vote from the Senate Judiciary Committee if the Senate did a one week delay, tacking on an FBI investigation.
After the 11-10 party-line vote in favor of sending the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Senate floor, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), breaking from other committee Democrats, praised Flake’s proposal, but reiterated her feelings against the nominee.
Senator Flake also added later that “this country is being ripped apart” as a result of the confirmation process that has enveloped the nation for weeks. Though, the Arizona Republican will ask the White House for a full FBI investigation on the Supreme Court nominee.
Judge Kavanaugh is finally out of the committee, but with the wrench thrown in by Senator Flake there will likely be the same dramatic atmosphere on the Senate floor before the full vote occurs and that the matter is now pending an FBI investigation. Technically, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) could call a vote tomorrow without an FBI investigation, but there is a high risk that Senator Flake would vote it down with already at least one swing vote on the Republican side – causing a likely block to confirmation.