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Cory Booker said that Brett Kavanaugh, a Supreme Court candidate, should have conducted further investigation into the allegations of sexual misconduct.
Herb Jackson, Washington correspondent, @HerbNJDC
WASHINGTON – Denouncing a "mockery" process even as he professed his respect for the Republican President who oversaw him, Senator Cory Booker said he would not participate in the Judiciary Committee's vote on Supreme Court candidate Brett Kavanaugh.
But as he was leaving the courtroom, Booker entered an antechamber where some of his colleagues were. These discussions eventually resulted in an agreement that Kavanaugh's final confirmation not be taken into consideration next week, as planned, so that the FBI could investigate the allegations of sexual misconduct against him.
The agreement reached between Senator Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., And Senator Chris Coons, D-Del., Did not prevent the Judiciary Committee from sending Kavanaugh's candidacy to the room.
Booker and others who had planned a boycott of the vote, however, associated themselves. The final vote was 11-10, along the party lines. Flake joined his Republican colleagues, but said he would not support Kavanaugh's final confirmation until the FBI could conduct an investigation.
"I think it would be appropriate to defer the vote to the rostrum, but not more than a week, in order to let the FBI conduct a limited investigation in the time and scope of the current allegations," he said. Flake. "I spoke to a few other members who are on my side in the driveway and who could also help us."
Flake can not prevent Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., From asking for a vote. But Mr. McConnell would only call a vote if he expected the nomination to be approved, and that would not happen if Flake and another Republican joined all the Democrats to vote "no".
Booker said on Twitter that he was "encouraged by the discussion in good faith" with his colleagues and suggested specific areas on which the FBI should investigate.
Booker was opposed to the rushed process that led to a vote in committee on Friday when he announced that he had respect and affection for Senator Charles Grassley, president of the R-Iowa commission.
"I can not sit here, I can not participate in what I know the story will look back [on] like a dark moment, "said Booker before going out.He compared him to the confirmation process that sent Clarence Thomas to the High Court after Professor Anita Hill accused him of sexual harassment.
Booker said that he believed Christine Blasey Ford, who testified Thursday that Kavanaugh had held him back and had tried to take off his clothes at a party when they were in high school. Kavanaugh violently denied the allegation and others who followed her to other women, but Booker said that Ford seemed to want more investigations and that Kavanaugh did not. had not done.
"She was terrified of being raped or killed by accident," said Booker. He stated that there was information that the committee was unaware of and that could be investigated, and that it clearly differed from his colleagues who said that Democrats were ready to destroy Kavanaugh for political reasons.
"It's not political work," said Booker, referring to Ford's allegations. "Even before she was named, she came with this testimony."
Republicans who pleaded for the lawsuit accused the Democrats of holding the allegations until the end of the confirmation process and then disclosing them to derail him. Ford had written to his congressman in California when Kavanaugh's name was mentioned as a possible candidate in July. This letter was forwarded to Dianne Feinstein, California's top Democratic Committee, but she said she could not reveal it without violating Ford's wish to remain anonymous.
Booker said he did not hear about Ford's allegations before they entered the press earlier this month. Feinstein then informed the members of the Democratic Committee.
"All his concerns were about Dr. Ford's dignity, humanity and respect, and the conversation we had was about how best to process the information," said Booker. "I have participated in many caucus meetings where the policy was not discussed."
Rather, he said the meetings included senators reading letters from people who have been victims of sexual violence.
"We should not dismiss her comments, we should not downplay her testimony.We should listen to her, we should listen to women.And we should conduct a thorough investigation before going forward. "said Booker.
More: Cory Booker Calls Christine Ford "Heroic" for Speaking of Sexual Assault
More: Cory Booker asks Brett Kavanaugh to withdraw before hearing on sexual allegations
More: Kavanaugh's allegations bring a new review to Booker's account of "stealing a second" as a teenager
The New Jersey Democrat, who is considered a potential presidential candidate in 2020, also responded to his own criticism of the hearings. Republican senators and Kavanaugh himself referred to a speech delivered by Booker at a press conference aimed at motivating activism against the nomination.
In this July speech, Booker said that Kavanaugh's ability to tip the court's balance against abortion and marriage rights made his appointment a "moral moment".
"You are either an accomplice of the evil, you are contributing to the wrong, or you are fighting against it," said Booker.
Booker said afterwards that he did not call Kavanaugh or those who supported him badly, only those who did not do anything about something they did not see well.
"Some of my comments have been referenced many times," Booker said on Friday, clearly referring to the incident. "I know that I have not been so precise and that my comments have been misinterpreted and I do not blame those people who misinterpreted my comments, I assume my responsibilities and I learned to be more precise. "
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