The Spokesman-Review
Following on the heels of Thursday’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearings into allegations of sexual misconduct by Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, a number of regional legislators were prompt in offering their own reactions.
Here’s what they had to say:
U.S. House Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash.: “As I’ve always said, allegations of sexual assault must be taken seriously, and women deserve to be heard. I respect Dr. Ford and her courage to share her agonizing experience. Judge Kavanaugh also deserves his due process. Going into today’s testimony, we knew it would be difficult to provide definitive answers. Based on today’s hearing, there isn’t evidence to confirm Dr. Ford’s claims about Judge Kavanaugh.”
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.: “This morning, I was one of the many people across the country watching with tears in my eyes as Dr. Ford so bravely and eloquently shared her experience of being sexually assaulted by Judge Kavanaugh with the United States Senate and her fellow Americans. And when she said that she was ‘100 percent sure’ that Judge Kavanaugh was the one who attacked her all those years ago, I believed her.
“I’m glad Judge Kavanaugh came before the Senate to address the allegations made by one of the women accusing him of serious misconduct. But like so many, I was left to wonder why, if he truly has nothing to hide and truly wanted all the facts to come out, he would not give a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ regarding whether he wanted the FBI, with its resources and experience, to investigate and question witnesses and potentially help him clear his name. Rather, the country watched Judge Kavanaugh ask senators to give him a promotion to the highest court in the land, then fail to demonstrate the honesty, integrity, character, or temperament to deserve that.”
U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.: “The Senate should not move forward on the Kavanaugh nomination. Dr. Ford’s strong testimony should be enough to stop any further votes before a complete nonpartisan investigation takes place. Dr. Ford showed great strength and courage in painting for the nation the long-lasting impacts of sexual assault.”
U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho: Sen. Crapo serves on the Senate Judicial Committee and was one of those questioning Kavanaugh.
Spokesman Lindsay Nothern told The Spokesman-Review that Crapo was initially in support of Kavanaugh, but when the sexual assault allegations came to light, Crapo wanted a chance to hear from Ford.
Nothern said that as of Thursday night, Crapo was undecided on how he would vote regarding Kavanaugh’s appointment.
“When things surfaced about Dr. Ford, he said he wanted to hear from Dr. Ford and make up his mind,” Nothern said. “He has not decided.”
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