Ford wants FBI investigation before testifying

"She's going to talk to the committee," Banks said. "She's not ready to argue with them at a hearing on Monday.This has just been published 48 hours ago."

"To ask him to show up in four or five days and to sit in front of the Judiciary Commission on national television is not fair." They want to act well and treat it seriously as they said, so they will do good. " and they will investigate this case properly, and she will work with them in this investigation and share her story with the committee, "said Banks Tuesday night.

Grassley said in a statement Tuesday night that there had never been a plan to bring Ford and Kavanaugh to the witness table, as Banks said in the interview. He said that there is no reason for further delay:

"Immediately after learning of Dr. Ford's identity in news reports on Sunday, committee staff began gathering facts related to his claims. We offered Dr. Ford to share his story with the committee. We are willing to do it. We offered her a public or private hearing, as well as staff-led interviews, depending on what makes her most comfortable.

"Dr. Ford's testimony would reflect his personal knowledge and his memory of events," Grassley said. "Nothing the FBI or any other investigator would have any bearing on what Dr. Ford says to the committee, so there's no reason to delay further."

A spokesman for the Justice Department said the FBI forwarded Senator Dianne Feinstein's initial letter to the White House board office on September 12, in accordance with the guidelines for background checks.

The spokesman noted that the allegation "does not involve any potential federal crime" and stated that if the FBI was aware of new information raising questions of adequacy about a candidate or a person appointed, the agency would inform the White House.

According to the spokesman, the FBI "does not judge the credibility or the importance of any allegation".

The letter comes after a day of uncertainty over whether the scheduled hearing for Monday would even take place, as Republicans continue to insist on their repeated efforts to reach out to Ford.

Last week, news surrounding a private letter sent to Feinstein, California Democrat, raised potential questions about Kavanaugh's appointment. Feinstein later announced that she had given the letter to the FBI. On Sunday, the Washington Post published an article detailing Ford's personal account of an incident that Ford said occurred when she and Kavanaugh were both in high school.

Ford alleges that at a party, Kavanaugh pushed her into a room with her former classmate Mark Judge and tried to pull off her clothes. She also alleges that Kavanaugh put her hand on her mouth when she tried to scream. Kavanaugh denied the incident, and he and the judge both deny being at the party in question.

"This is a completely false allegation I have never done anything that the accuser describes – to her or to anyone, because that never happened, I did not know a statement. "I am willing to speak to the Senate Judiciary Committee in the manner that the Committee deems appropriate to refute this false allegation of 36 years ago and defend my integrity."

The public accusation led Grassley on Monday to announce that the committee would meet next Monday to give Kavanaugh and Ford the opportunity to testify publicly, both of whom have indicated their willingness to do so.

But on Tuesday afternoon, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the Republicans still had not heard of Ford or his lawyer regarding their request to testify.

"What we are saying is that there should be an investigation because it's the right thing to do," Banks said.

"She is ready to cooperate with the committee and with any police investigation," she added.

Democrats have pushed back the audience. The 10 Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray and White House lawyers Don McGahn arguing that the FBI should investigate before a hearing.

"The committee should have the full report before any hearing and we ask you to take immediate steps to ensure we have the FBI report before proceeding," the senators wrote.

Feinstein said in a statement that she supported Ford's proposal.

"We must honor Dr. Blasey Ford's wishes and delay this hearing, an appropriate investigation must be conducted, witnesses questioned, evidence reviewed and all parties interviewed.

"I hope that all of us will immediately denounce the horrific treatment of Dr. Blasey Ford." That this brave woman is receiving death threats and was forced to flee with her family, is appalling and This abuse must stop. " better than that. "

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, also supported Ford's proposal.

"Dr. Ford's appeal to the FBI to investigate also demonstrates his confidence that when all the facts are examined by an impartial investigation, his account will be corroborated and confirmed," Schumer said in a statement. "The Senate Republicans and the White House should give up their inexplicable opposition to an FBI investigation, allow all the facts to come forward, and then proceed to a fair trial in the Senate." Dr. Ford's life is already intimidating. deserves to be treated with respect and fairness by the Senate. "

However, Senator Orrin Hatch, a Republican from Utah, countered Ford's proposal on Twitter Tuesday night, arguing that "the FBI does not conduct investigations like this".

"The responsibility lies with us," tweeted Hatch. "President @ChuckGrassley has asked our committee to vote on the offer of Dr. Ford's lawyer on television yesterday for his client to testify before the Judiciary Committee.We should proceed as planned."