This is the statement from Thom Tillis
Thank you for taking the time to contact me about the President’s nomination of Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh to be an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. I appreciate hearing from you.
On July 9, 2018, the President nominated Judge Kavanaugh to fill a vacancy on the United States Supreme Court. Subsequently, on September 4, 2018, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a four-day hearing to evaluate Judge Kavanaugh’s qualifications and ask questions about how he would carry out the duties assigned to the highest Court in the United States.
As you are aware, less than one week after Judge Kavanaugh’s hearing concluded The Intereceptreported that Senator Feinstein was in possession of a letter detailing allegations of sexual assault by Judge Kavanaugh. This letter, which was written earlier this summer by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford of Palo Alto, California, claimed that Judge Kavanaugh had engaged in inappropriate conduct with her while he was under the influence of alcohol.
After my Republican colleagues and I were made aware of this allegation, the Committee launched an investigation and immediately conducted a transcribed interview with Judge Kavanaugh under the threat of federal criminal penalty. In addition to Judge Kavanaugh’s interview, the Committee has received statements from the four witnesses named by Dr. Ford who were allegedly in attendance at the party. All four witnesses either claimed they were not at the party in question or had no recollection of Judge Kavanaugh’s attendance. All witnesses provided this information to the Committee under threat of federal criminal penalties.
Chairman Grassley and Judiciary Republicans extended an offer to Dr. Ford to testify before the Committee in any setting that she would feel most comfortable in. After further discussions with Dr. Ford and her legal team, an agreement was reached for Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh to testify publicly under oath before the Committee
on September 27, 2018, at 10:00 a.m.
Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh’s testimony will ensure her allegation is thoroughly and fairly vetted, and both individuals have a chance to speak. I take all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously, and the Committee must engage in a fact-based process that is fair and respectful to both Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh. I look forward to hearing from both individuals on Thursday and believe this is a needed opportunity to fully examine these allegations.
Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me. If you have any questions as the Judiciary Committee continues its investigation of Dr. Ford’s allegations, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Thom Tillis
U.S. Senator