Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska on Tuesday expressed support for an FBI probe into sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
“It would sure clear up all the questions, wouldn’t it?” Murkowski said when asked if the bureau should investigate the embattled judge, according to CNN.
Murkowski and fellow GOP Sens. Jeff Flake of Arizona and Susan Collins of Maine are considered possible swing votes in Kavanaugh’s confirmation process.
Christine Blasey Ford — who has FBI first investigate her allegations before she testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.
But Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) has resisted Ford’s and Democrats’ calls for the FBI to get involved.
Kavanugh has repeatedly denied the allegations.
Meanwhile, Sen. Mazie Hirono, a Democrat on the committee, said that Kavanaugh would have a “cloud” over his head if he’s confirmed to the Supreme Court.
“I think that if he does get on the court, he will be there under a cloud. There will always be an asterisk next to his name, and I think it’s not good for the institution of the Supreme Court,” she told CNN.
Hirono also said she believed it would be too soon for Debbie Ramirez — the second woman accusing Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct — to testify by Thursday’s hearing.
“I think it’s really unfair to expect her to come forward in such a short time frame,” she said.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Tuesday said on open to having Ramirez testify.