Senate

Feinstein calls for hold on Kavanaugh consideration

by Jordain Carney - 09/23/18 9:38 PM ET

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) is calling on the Senate to hit pause on Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination in the wake of a new allegation of sexual misconduct.

Feinstein sent a letter to Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, on Sunday night asking for “an immediate postponement of any further proceedings.”

“I also ask that the newest allegations of sexual misconduct be referred to the FBI for investigation, and that you join our request for the White House to direct the FBI to investigate the allegations of Christine Blasey Ford as well as these new claims,” Feinstein added in the letter.

{mosads}The New Yorker reported on Sunday that Senate Democrats are looking into an allegation dating back to Kavanaugh’s time as a freshman at Yale University in the 1980s. Deborah Ramirez alleges that Kavanaugh, who has denied wrongdoing, exposed himself in front of her during a gathering at Yale.

Feinstein added in the wake of the allegation the FBI needs to investigate Kavanaugh’s background and if the White House refuses to ask the FBI to investigate the Judiciary Committee “must subpoena all relevant witnesses.”

“It is time to set politics aside. We must ensure that a thorough and fair investigation is conducted before moving forward,” Feinstein added.

The California senator was more explicit in a separate tweet, saying Thursday’s hearing “should be canceled in light of a disturbing new allegation of sexual misconduct against Brett Kavanaugh. The FBI must investigate ALL allegations.”

In addition to Feintein, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) said the FBI needs to investigate and that Mark Judge, a Kavanaugh classmate, “must be compelled to testify” before the Judiciary Committee.

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) added that Kavanaugh should withdraw his nomination.

“I call upon Brett Kavanaugh for the good of the country and the integrity of the court to step aside immediately,” he said.