Murkowski: Kavanaugh decision comes down to whether accuser is to be believed

GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), a key swing vote, said the Supreme Court fight over Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination is boiling down to whether senators believe a woman accusing the nominee of sexual assault.

Murkowski told The New York Times that the nomination was no longer about whether Kavanaugh “is qualified.”

“It is about whether or not a woman who has been a victim at some point in her life is to be believed,” she told the publication. 

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Murkowski is one of a few GOP senators who have yet to say if she will support Kavanaugh ahead of a high-stakes hearing set for Thursday where both he and one of his accusers, Christine Blasey Ford, will testify.

Murkowski’s decision — which could make or break whether Kavanaugh is confirmed — is not expected to be announced until after the hearing.

“We need to be able to listen,” Murkowski told the Times. “We have to listen to what she will say on the record, under oath, and what Judge Kavanaugh will say on the record, under oath.”

Republicans hold a 51-49 majority in the Senate, meaning they could lose one GOP senator before they needed help from Democrats to confirm Kavanaugh. No Democrats have said they will vote for him. 

Murkowski separately appeared to open the door on Tuesday to having the FBI investigate Kavanaugh’s background — a significant break with GOP leadership.

“It would sure clear up all the questions, wouldn’t it?” Murkowski told reporters when asked about an FBI probe.