Politics Collins: Kavanaugh accuser should 'reconsider,' testify on Monday
Senate GOP makes late-hour mention of possible other attackers of Ford, angering Democrats
Judiciary Committee staff say they have talked to two men who say they, not Kavanaugh, had the 1982 encounter.John Dean, former Nixon White House counsel, is sworn in with other witnesses to testify on the fourth day of Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh on Capitol Hill in Washington, Sept. 7.
Judiciary Committee staff say they have talked to two men who say they, not Kavanaugh, had the 1982 encounter.John Dean, former Nixon White House counsel, is sworn in with other witnesses to testify on the fourth day of Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh on Capitol Hill in Washington, Sept. 7. Susan Collins (Maine), a key vote in the Supreme Court fight, on Wednesday urged a woman accusing nominee Brett Kavanaugh of "I hope that Dr. Ford will reconsider and testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday ," Collins said in a tweet, referring to Christine Blasey Ford.
For his part, Kavanaugh on Monday again strongly denied in a new statement a woman's allegation that he sexually assaulted her when they were both in high school, saying "this never happened." Professor Ford and Judge Kavanaugh should both testify under oath before the Judiciary Committee.
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GOP Sen. Susan Collins (Maine), a key vote in the Supreme Court fight, on Wednesday urged a woman accusing nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault to speak with the Senate about her allegation.
"I hope that Dr. Ford will reconsider and testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday," Collins said in a tweet, referring to Christine Blasey Ford.
She added that it is her understanding that the Judiciary Committee "has offered to hold either a public or a private session, whichever would make [Ford] more comfortable."
Trump watched Ford hearing on Air Force One
President Trump on Thursday watched part of Christine Blasey Ford's dramatic testimony about her sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.A professor at Palo Alto University and a research psychologist at the Stanford University School of Medicine, Ford has accused Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her during a party in 1982 when they were high school students in suburban Maryland. In prepared remarks, Ford said, "I don't have all the answers, and I don't remember as much as I would like to. But the details about that night that bring me here today are ones I will never forget. Senator Collins said Wednesday that she hoped Brett Kavanaugh accuser Christine Blasey Ford would ' reconsider and testify ' in front of the Senate I hope that Dr. Ford will reconsider and testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday . It is my understanding that the Committee has
Collins : Accuser , Kavanaugh should testify 02:34. (CNN) A key Republican senator pushed back Wednesday on calls by Brett Kavanaugh 's accuser to allow for an FBI investigation before a hearing next week, the latest indication that Republicans may be closing in on the votes to confirm President
Collins's public urging comes after Ford's lawyers said in a letter to the Judiciary Committee this week that Ford wants the FBI to investigate her allegation before she speaks with the panel.
Her lawyer said on CNN that Ford is not prepared to speak at Monday's hearing, though she left open the door to talking with the Judiciary Committee in some capacity.
Ford alleges that Kavanaugh pinned her down to a bed and tried to remove her clothing during a party in the early 1980s when they were both in high school. Kavanaugh denies any wrongdoing.
Collins's comments are significant because she is part of a small group of undecided senators who will play an important role in determining whether Kavanaugh is confirmed.
In addition to Collins, GOP Sen. Jeff Flake (Ariz.) - who had threatened to vote "no" on Kavanaugh if Ford wasn't given the chance to publicly testify - is also urging her to speak with the Senate.
Hatch Calls Ford 'An Attractive Witness'
“I don’t think she’s uncredible. I think (she's) an attractive, good witness,” Senator Orrin Hatch said of Christine Blasey Ford.“I don’t think she’s uncredible. I think she an attractive, good witness,” Hatch said. Asked to clarify what he meant, Hatch added, "In other words, she's pleasing. Kavanaugh has denied the accusation. Susan Collins (R-ME) weighs in on the accusation of sexual assault leveled against President Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh .
Kavanaugh denies both allegations. Collins is considered a key swing vote on Kavanaugh . If she and another Republican oppose him, his nomination is likely to fail. Collins says she has “not made a decision” about whether to vote for Kavanaugh . She says the hearing Thursday “is an important one.”
Spokespeople for GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), another swing vote, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment about whether she supports moving forward with Kavanaugh's nomination if Ford refuses to testify.
Republicans have a 51-seat majority, meaning they can afford to lose only one GOP senator before they need to lean on Democrats to confirm Kavanaugh.
The sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh initially appeared to throw his nomination into jeopardy, with GOP leadership scheduling Monday's public hearing amid intense pressure from their caucus members.
But Republicans are now signaling they are preparing to move forward with the nomination regardless of whether Ford testifies.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a member of the Judiciary committee, said in a statement Wednesday that "it is imperative the Judiciary committee move forward on the Kavanaugh nomination and a committee vote be taken as soon as possible."
Brett Kavanaugh says he will "continue to cooperate" as FBI probe ordered .
Trump ordered an FBI investigation after Sen. Flake called for a week-long delay on a vote to allow for an investigation into allegations against KavanaughWASHINGTON — President Trump is trying to save his Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, who is facing allegations of sexual misconduct. He ordered an FBI investigation Friday after Sen. Jeff Flake, a crucial vote, called for a week-long delay on a vote in order for an investigation to take place.
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Susan Collins (Maine), a key vote in the Supreme Court fight, on Wednesday urged a woman accusing nominee Brett Kavanaugh of "I hope that Dr. Ford will reconsider and testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday ," Collins said in a tweet, referring to Christine Blasey Ford. thehill.com
Kavanaugh , accuser called to testify at public hearing MondayFor his part, Kavanaugh on Monday again strongly denied in a new statement a woman's allegation that he sexually assaulted her when they were both in high school, saying "this never happened." Professor Ford and Judge Kavanaugh should both testify under oath before the Judiciary Committee. www.yahoo.com
Susan Collins Implores Kavanaugh Accuser Christine Ford to TestifySenator Collins said Wednesday that she hoped Brett Kavanaugh accuser Christine Blasey Ford would ' reconsider and testify ' in front of the Senate I hope that Dr. Ford will reconsider and testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday . It is my understanding that the Committee has www.mediaite.com
Susan Collins : 'Not fair' for Kavanaugh accuser not to testifyCollins : Accuser , Kavanaugh should testify 02:34. (CNN) A key Republican senator pushed back Wednesday on calls by Brett Kavanaugh 's accuser to allow for an FBI investigation before a hearing next week, the latest indication that Republicans may be closing in on the votes to confirm President
Collins : Accuser , Kavanaugh should testify - CNN VideoKavanaugh has denied the accusation. Susan Collins (R-ME) weighs in on the accusation of sexual assault leveled against President Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh .
Senator Collins : Kavanaugh 's 2nd accuser should be - WHYYKavanaugh denies both allegations. Collins is considered a key swing vote on Kavanaugh . If she and another Republican oppose him, his nomination is likely to fail. Collins says she has “not made a decision” about whether to vote for Kavanaugh . She says the hearing Thursday “is an important one.”
Kavanaugh Accuser Refuses to Appear Monday , 'Prepared to Testify 'Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh ’s accuser , Christine Blasey Ford, will not appear at the Monday Other Republican senators, like Susan Collins (R-ME), also made clear that Ford would have an option to testify in private with or without Kavanaugh ’s presence if she so preferred
GOP to Kavanaugh 's accuser : Testify on Monday or we'll move ontestifies , Republicans are much more unified. Testify on Monday , they say, or they’ll move ahead with a vote on Kavanaugh . “After learning of the Flake added, “When Dr. Ford came forward, I said that her voice should be heard and asked the Judiciary Committee to delay its vote on Judge Kavanaugh .
