Senators seek to delay Kavanaugh vote after Christine Blasey Ford raises allegation of sexual assault

WASHINGTON – The woman who accused Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her as a teenager identified herself in a Washington Post report Sunday in which she spoke publicly about the allegations for the first time. His account of the situation was detailed in a confidential letter sent to Democratic legislators earlier this year.

The Post identified Kavanaugh's accuser as Christine Blasey Ford, 51, a research psychologist in Northern California.

Following the report, the main Democrats immediately called for an inquiry and postponement of the vote. Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., A writes Sunday: "Support Ms. Ford's decision to share her story, and now that she has done so, it is in the hands of the FBI to conduct a inquiry into this candidate. "

Democrats and some Republicans have called for a delay, threatening to suspend a key committee vote scheduled this week to advance Kavanaugh's confirmation.

NBC News has contacted Kavanaugh and the White House for their comments. The White House responded by noting Kavanaugh's Friday statement. NBC News contacted Ford but did not receive an immediate response.

When asked if Kavanaugh would withdraw, another White House official offered a firm "no" and stated that the candidate "categorically denied this allegation".

Taylor Foy, a spokesman for the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Chuck Grassley of R-Iowa, dismissed the "unsubstantiated allegations" and did not indicate that Grassley intended to delay the vote.

Another Grassley spokesman, George Hartmann, said Sunday night that the senator was trying to establish follow-up phone calls with Kavanaugh and Ford.

"Given the late addition to the information package and revelations of Dr. Ford's identity, President Grassley is actively engaged in organizing such follow-up calls with Judge Kavanaugh ahead of the scheduled vote on Thursday," he said. said Hartmann.

The Washington Post reported Sunday night that Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., Does not want to go ahead with this week's vote before he hears more from the Ford. Feinstein agreed, "We do not know a lot of information and the FBI should have the time to investigate this new material. Staff calls are not the appropriate way to handle this.

The Senate Minority Leader, Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., called Grassley to postpone the confirmation vote "until, at a minimum, these serious and credible allegations are made the object of". 39, a thorough investigation ". Later, he tweeted that the investigation should be conducted by the FBI and that the Senate should only move forward when the investigation is completed.

The panel of the judiciary is expected to hold a vote Thursday to advance Kavanaugh's appointment. The goal of the GOP leaders is to have him confirmed as a judge of the Supreme Court before the start of the new court term in October.

Grassley's spokesman said the timing of the news raised questions about democratic "tactics and motivations".

"It is disturbing that these unsubstantiated allegations dating back more than 35 years, during high school, took place the day before a committee vote after the Democrats had been sitting there since July," Feinstein said. .

In addition to Grassley, NBC News has contacted the other 10 Republican members of the judicial panel. Almost all remained silent, even though Senator Lindsey Graham, R-S., Issued a statement saying that he was ready to hear his story.

"If the committee is to hear from Ms. Ford, this should be done immediately so that the process can continue as planned," said Graham, who added that he agreed with Grassely's concerns.

Outgoing Senator Bob Corker, who is not a member of the Judiciary Committee, told NBC Kasie Hunt that the Senate should not go ahead with a vote of the committee without hearing Ford.

"They should give her a chance to be heard, but if she wishes, she should do it quickly," Corker said. "I really think it's best for everyone involved, including the candidate."

Senator Susan Collins, R-Maine, who was viewed as a possible non-vote against Kavanaugh, spoke to Ford by phone on Friday. Collins is not a member of the Judiciary Committee.

With a narrow majority in the Senate, Republicans can only lose the support of two members if all Democrats remain united against Kavanaugh. Collins and Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, were targeted by Kavanaugh's opponents as the Republicans most likely to derail his confirmation.

Kavanaugh denied Ford's allegations. "I categorically and unequivocally deny this allegation – I did not do it in high school or at any time," he said in a statement last week.

Other Democrats on the Judiciary Committee joined Mr. Schumer and Mr. Feinstein in requesting that the vote be postponed. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) also expressed dismay that some Republicans have rejected the allegations.

"To intimidate that aggression is a mere political ploy would not only offend adversely the experience of Ms. Ford, but also reinforce dangerous preconceptions that shame the survivors in silence," he said in a statement.

Ford's allegations were revealed in a letter sent to two California Democrats, Feinstein and Rep. Eshoo, and reported in the New Yorker by Ronan Farrow and Jane Mayer. In the New Yorker article, Ford asked not to be identified, but later she told the Post that she wanted to make herself known.

In the early 1980s, Ford claimed that Kavanaugh and another drunk person had taken her to a room at a teenage rally in suburban Maryland.

During the match, Ford alleges that Kavanaugh placed him on a bed on his back and pinned him to his clothes while rubbing his body against his, according to the Post. She says Kavanaugh has attempted to remove her one-piece swimsuit.

She said that when she tried to scream, Kavanaugh put his hand on her mouth.

Ford told the Post that the other person had watched the assault. "I thought it could kill me inadvertently," she said. "He was trying to attack me and take off my clothes."

Ford escaped after a friend, Mark Judge, found them and separated them, she told the newspaper. Ford said she was locked in a bathroom before leaving the house.

According to the Weekly Standard, the judge was named in the letter sent to Feinstein and Eshoo and denied that the incident had occurred, saying at the point of sale: "It's totally crazy.

At a therapy session with her husband in 2012, Ford described the incident but did not mention Kavanaugh, according to the therapist's notes reviewed by the post. NBC News does not have or revised the notes.

The Post reported that Ford had a polygraph test administered by a former FBI agent in early August. According to the Post, the test revealed that Ford was sincere when it made a statement summarizing its allegations.

Kalhan Rosenblatt reported from New York and Rebecca Shabad from Washington.