Collins: If Kavanaugh lied that would be disqualifying

GOP Sen. Susan Collins (Maine) said on Monday that if Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh lied about a sexual assault allegation that would be “disqualifying.”

“Obviously if Judge Kavanaugh has lied about what has happened that would be disqualifying,” Collins told reporters. 

{mosads}Kavanaugh has denied wrongdoing after Christine Blasey Ford, Kavanaugh’s accuser, went public with her allegation that Kavanaugh held her down and forced himself on her at a party in the early 1980s when both were teenagers. 

“On Friday, Judge Kavanaugh ‘categorically and unequivocally’ denied this allegation. This has not changed. Judge Kavanaugh and the White House both stand by that statement,” White House Spokesperson Kerri Kupec said on Monday. 

GOP Sen. Orrin Hatch (Utah) separately told reporters that Kavanaugh told him during a phone call on Monday that he wasn’t at the party the alleged incident took place.

Collins, asked if she believed Ford, added that she did not have enough information and reiterated her call for them both to testify under oath. 

Collins hasn’t announced if she will support Kavanaugh and her decision could be crucial for whether Kavanugh is confirmed by the Senate.