Sarbanes Statement on Kavanaugh Hearings

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) released the following statement after the Senate Judiciary Committee ended its deeply flawed deliberations over Judge Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court:

"From the very beginning, Republicans made clear their intention to ram through Judge Kavanaugh's confirmation – without regard to due process, fair procedure or careful examination. This is the culmination of a decades-long grand strategy by the Republicans to politicize our nation's highest court and turn it radically to the right.

"Yesterday, we heard moving and courageous testimony from Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. She had nothing to gain by coming forward with her traumatic story and almost everything to lose. Nobody should doubt her credibility.

"Sadly, in their mad rush to put Kavanaugh on the court, Republicans have sought to demean the serious charges so powerfully articulated by Dr. Ford. Beyond that, their intransigence shows disdain for the voices of sexual assault survivors all across the country, many of whom in the last 24 hours have been flooded with memories of the most traumatic moments of their lives.

"The U.S. Supreme Court, and those who serve on its bench, must have impeccable character and rise above partisan politics. Judge Kavanaugh has failed to meet both of those important standards.

"I believe Dr. Ford. And I am convinced that Judge Kavanaugh has no place on our nation's highest court."

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