Flake shows some common sense in asking for more information
Arizona Republican Sen. Jeff Flake dropped a bomb at the 11th hour of the Senate Judiciary Committee votes today when he halted the floor vote on Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court. The man who was mentored by the late John McCain showed that he was will to speak truth to power.
Flake was clam in showing statesmanship by asking for a one-week investigation by the FBI of the charges made by Dr. Christine Ford. He told his fellow Republicans that he would vote to allow Kavanaugh to move out of committee and on to the vote on the Senate floor for an up or down vote but only if he gets that one-week investigation by the FBI
Flake addressed the committee prior to the vote after four hours of the debate he addressed his concern of sexual abuse being taken seriously by the committee. “This country’s being ripped apart here,” said Flake.
“I think it would be proper to delay the floor vote for up to but not more than one week in order to let the FBI to do an investigation limited in time and scope,” he said.
Flake came up with the plan after extensive conversations with Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and other members of the panel. Flake said he was voting to advance Kavanaugh “with that understanding” and said he has spoken “to a few other members on my side of the aisle who support it as well.”
He said senators should do “what we can to make sure that we do all do diligence with a nomination this important.” Sen. Flake is now joined by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Maine Republican Susan Collins and Democrat from Joe Manchin in favor of a one week limited FBI investigation into the allegations against Dr. Ford.
The Senate Judiciary Committee does not have the power to reopen a background investigation on Judge Kavanaugh. Step one is convincing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to delay a floor vote on the confirmation of Kavanaugh and given that right now the fact McConnell does not have the 50 votes needed to advance the nominee to the Supreme Court.
Lastly, President Donald Trump who of course is the person who nominated Kavanaugh is the only person who can order the reopening of the background check. But again there are not enough votes to confirm his nominee so stay tuned.
