Republican Senator Jeff Flake joined Democrats Friday in their demand for a more complete background check on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. President Donald Trump assented to the request.
Flake’s Reasoning
The Senator from Arizona is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee in charge of recommending Kavanaugh for confirmation. Friday morning, Flake said he would support Kavanaugh after hearing testimony Thursday from Kavanaugh and the woman who claims he sexually assaulted her in high school. The committee agreed to vote on whether they would recommend him Friday afternoon.
In the meantime, two women protesters approached Flake in the elevator. Television cameras caught the conversation. Maria Gallagher is a 23-year-old who says she’s a victim of sexual abuse. “Look at me and tell me that it doesn’t matter what happened to me” she said to Flake.
Later, Flake said he would only vote to recommend Kavanaugh after the FBI conducted another investigation. “The country is being ripped apart here,” he said.
Trump’s Response
Republicans originally wanted to confirm Kavanaugh before the new term for the Supreme Court begins on Monday. With Justice Kennedy’s resignation effective at the end of last term, there are now only eight Justices. That leaves the possibility open for tie votes.
