WASHINGTON—On news today that Julie Swetnick has alleged sexual assault by Brett Kavanaugh, President Trump’s nominee to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy—the third woman to do so, following allegations by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Deborah Ramirez—Constitutional Accountability Center President Elizabeth Wydra issued the following statement:

Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans must halt tomorrow’s planned hearing featuring Dr. Blasey Ford and Judge Kavanaugh, and cancel Friday’s scheduled committee vote on his nomination until the FBI has fully investigated the claims against Judge Kavanaugh.

After the shocking allegations by Julie Swetnick today, coming on the heels of those made by Dr. Blasey Ford and Ms. Ramirez and witnesses supporting their stories, Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley rushing Judge Kavanaugh through this obvious sham of a process would make a mockery of the Senate’s advice-and-consent role.

Constitutional Accountability Center demands a full investigation by the FBI into the claims of these brave women. No stone should be left unturned in collecting and sorting out all of the facts before any Senator is called on to perform their constitutionally prescribed role.

Constitutional Accountability Center further demands that before any vote on Judge Kavanaugh is held in Committee or on the Senate floor, the FBI investigation must be completed.

Finally, let me make a few things clear. This is not a criminal trial. This is a job interview for a lifetime appointment on the most powerful Court in the nation. As a Supreme Court Justice, Brett Kavanaugh would decide cases that will affect the lives of countless Americans for decades. Judge Kavanaugh denies the allegations lodged against him. For the sake of his own integrity—and for the integrity of the institution to which he has been nominated—Judge Kavanaugh should want a full investigation by the FBI to get to the bottom of these credible and profoundly serious claims.

For their part, every Senator must demand the Senate do the right job in fully vetting Judge Kavanaugh, not acquiesce to the rush job being attempted now. There is no deadline for confirming a justice. The Constitution requires each Senator to provide their advice and consent before the confirmation of any nominee to the Supreme Court, and they cannot faithfully discharge this duty without having all the facts. The current process is an insult to that solemn responsibility our nation’s Founders assigned them.

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Now in our tenth year, Constitutional Accountability Center is a think tank, public interest law firm, and action center dedicated to fulfilling the progressive promise of the Constitution’s text and history. Visit the new CAC website at www.theusconstitution.org.

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