Murkowski Calls For FBI Investigation of Kavanaugh Claims

Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska has been undecided on the fate of Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court. On Tuesday she called for an FBI investigation into the sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh. According to her, such an investigation would “clear up all the questions” surrounding Trump’s Supreme Court nominee.

“I just asked Sen. Lisa Murkowski, key GOP swing vote, if there should be a full FBI investigation into allegations from Kavanaugh’s past. “It would sure clear up all the questions, wouldn’t it?” she said”

Murkowski is one of a few Republican swing votes in Kavanaugh‘s confirmation process, and she has come under pressure from within her home state to reject the nomination.

GOP Sens. Jeff Flake of Arizona and Susan Collins of Maine are also potential swing voters who have not said they will vote for Kavanaugh.

All of the undecided senators have said they are waiting for Thursday’s hearing with Dr. Christine Ford so they can hear her testimony and then make up their minds.

However, as new allegations have come out in recent days, it is clear that hearing only from Dr. Ford will not be sufficient for the senators. They will need more information to determine who is telling the truth, and what the facts are.

The best way to get more information is to have an FBI investigation, but the GOP Senate leaders — and President Donald Trump — have refused to allow the FBI to do that.

Democrats began calling for an FBI investigation immediately after Dr. Ford publicly accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her at a high school party in the 1980s. Republicans have said that an FBI investigation is unnecessary and that it is up to the senators themselves to determine whether Ford is telling the truth or not.

Senate Democrats are also investigating a second allegation dating back to Kavanaugh’s freshman year at Yale University, The New Yorker reported on Sunday. Deborah Ramirez told the magazine that Kavanaugh thrust his penis in her face, causing her to touch it without her consent at a party in a dormitory.

Calling for an FBI investigation is a great way for Murkowski and other senators to avoid making a decision. However Mitch McConnell said yesterday that he will force the issue by calling for a Senate floor vote on Kavanaugh‘s nomination next week.

The only thing certain about Brett Kavanaugh‘s confirmation is that it is very uncertain. And Murkowski is right: more information is needed before anyone can decide what to do.

Leo Vidal

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.