Christine Blasey Ford, the woman who has accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her, wants to tell her story under oath. Her attorney said she is willing to speak directly to U.S. Senators on the Senate Judiciary Committee and let them ask her questions so that their doubts can be allayed and their curiosity can be satisfied.
“She will do whatever is necessary to make sure that the Senate Judiciary Committee has the full story, including testifying before the committee,” her attorney Debra Katz said on Monday. “She’s willing to do what she needs to do.”
Speaking on “CBS This Morning” Katz said that her client hopes to tell “her story in a manner that is a fair proceeding.”
“Would your client be willing to testify under oath?
“My client will do whatever is necessary to make sure that the Senate Judiciary Committee has the full story…to allow them to make a full informed decision,” says Debra Katz”
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Would your client be willing to testify under oath?
"My client will do whatever is necessary to make sure that the Senate Judiciary Committee has the full story…to allow them to make a full informed decision," says Debra Katz pic.twitter.com/z2q8JPCQmL
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) September 17, 2018
The news from Ford’s attorney is sure to send shockwaves throughout Washington one day after her first-person account was published in the Washington Post. It’s hard to see how Republicans can deny Ford‘s request to testify.
Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley said that he is trying to arrange a telephone call with Ford to talk to the senators on his committee. It’s not sure what Grassley is trying to accomplish with that move, which seems like a desperation ploy to fend off criticism without accomplishing anything.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said he thinks the vote on Kavanaugh should be delayed, and many others agree with this assessment. Even Republican Senator Jeff Flake said he wants to delay a vote in the committee until Ford has a chance to give her testimony.
Moderate Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, potential “no” votes against a Kavanaugh confirmation, have not said what their votes will be as of yet. However, this new information means it is likely they will take a “wait and see” approach and allow Ford to tell her story in public.
Republicans like Grassley want to force a vote on Kavanaugh quickly, in order to prevent a delay that could leave the Supreme Court seat open until next year. It is thought that if Kavanaugh’s appointment is not approved, there will not be enough time for the president to nominate and get approval for a new nominee before the new Congress is seated in January of next year.
For Democrats, a delay on a Kavanaugh vote is the same as a victory — and it appears that with the new announcement from Ford’s attorney, this may be what actually happens.
I am a lifelong Democrat with a passion for social justice and progressive issues. I have degrees in writing, economics and law from the University of Iowa.
