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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Charlotte Clymer, Charlotte.Clymer@hrc.org, 202-567-5742

We Believe Dr. Blasey Ford. If the White House Does Not Withdraw Kavanaugh, the Senate Must Reject His Nomination

The Senate refuses to call for the FBI to investigate. The Senate must reject this nomination. 

WASHINGTON

Today, following the credible testimony of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) again called on the White House to withdraw Brett Kavanaugh's nomination and for members of the United States Senate to oppose his confirmation to the Supreme Court of the United States. To date, Donald Trump and Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley have refused to honor precedent by asking the FBI to investigate the credible allegations of sexual assault against Brett Kavanaugh brought forward by Dr. Blasey Ford, Deborah Ramirez, Julie Swetnick, and other potential survivors. In light of this refusal to fully investigate, and the credible testimony given by Dr. Blasey Ford today, Kavanaugh must not be confirmed to the nation's highest court.

"Dr. Christine Blasey Ford has bravely come forward, delivered credible and compelling testimony about her sexual assault, and has provided significant detail that would allow the Senate Judiciary Committee to corroborate her allegations. Despite this, Donald Trump, Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have refused to fully investigate her claims or halt the proceedings to gather more information, and have instead fast-tracked Kavanaugh's confirmation. And today, they despicably attempted to put a sexual assault survivor on trial. This is unacceptable," said HRC President Chad Griffin. "In light of what we have heard, and Senator Grassley's refusal to pursue an FBI investigation, the Trump-Pence Administration must withdraw Kavanaugh's nomination immediately. If they do not, members of the Senate must oppose and vote against his confirmation. The price of admission to our nation's highest court must be a fair, deliberate, thorough and transparent confirmation process. Instead, in their rush to hijack the Supreme Court, Senator Grassley, Senator McConnell and this White House are compounding the harms endured by these women and thousands of other survivors while undermining our democracy in the process."

The Human Rights Campaign represents a grassroots force of over 750,000 members and supporters nationwide. As the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, HRC envisions an America where LGBT people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.