Senate Judiciary Committee to formally request White House order an FBI probe
It looks like Republican Sen. Jeff Flake (Ariz.) will get his wish.
The Senate Judiciary Committee said Friday afternoon that it will ask the White House to request an FBI probe into the sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, therefore delaying the vote on his confirmation, per HuffPost's Ryan J. Reilly. The committee said it would allow up to a week for the FBI to conduct its supplemental background investigation.
The move came after Flake, a key swing vote in the confirmation process, said he would only be comfortable voting for Kavanaugh's confirmation in the full floor vote if the bureau investigated the accusations. The investigation, per the committee's release, will be "limited to current credible allegations." Christine Blasey Ford testified under oath Thursday that Kavanaugh forcibly groped her and attempted to rape her in the 1980s; Kavanaugh denied the claim, also under oath. Two more women have come forward to accuse Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
It was not initially clear whether Flake's request would be met, as a delay would require Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's (R-Ky.) approval, while an FBI investigation would require President Trump's order. But following the Senate Judiciary Committee's dramatic vote Friday on Kavanaugh's nomination, CNN reports that key Republicans met with McConnell to work out an agreement.
As The Washington Post's Seung Min Kim points out, the Anita Hill FBI probe lasted three days. A procedural vote to move Kavanaugh's nomination forward will still take place Saturday, as originally planned, CNN's Ashley Killough reports.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Today's political cartoons - May 4, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - reflections in the pond, riding shotgun, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 high-caliber cartoons about Kristi Noem shooting her puppy
Cartoons Artists take on the rainbow bridge, a farm upstate, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The Week Unwrapped: Why is the world running low on blood?
Podcast Scientists believe universal donor blood is within reach – plus, the row over an immersive D-Day simulation, and an Ozempic faux pas
By The Week Staff Published
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published