The FBI's supplemental background check into Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh has apparently wrapped up and the Senate will receive the results Wednesday evening, according to Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell.
McConnell, speaking on the Senate floor Wednesday evening, said senators would have plenty of time to view the report. He also filed a cloture motion that paves the way for a procedural vote on Kavanaugh's nomination on Friday and a final up-or-down vote on confirmation as early as Saturday.
"This evening, the Senate will receive the results of the FBI’s supplemental background investigation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh," McConnell said on the floor. "This is now the seventh time the FBI has looked into Judge Kavanaugh’s background. And this information comes on top of what has already been one of the most thorough and most exhaustive Senate reviews of any Supreme Court nominee in the entire history of our country."
Much of Wednesday was a waiting game as senators prepared for the report and for its aftermath. The document could be a deciding factor for three Republican senators who hold swing votes on Kavanaugh's appointment since conservatives hold a thin 51-49 majority.
The report, which is planned to be kept secret, is expected to center around accusations of sexual misconduct by Kavanaugh when he was young.
The report was to be given to the White House then is expected to be shipped to Capitol Hill.
"As Leader McConnell stated, the FBI’s supplemental background investigation will be transmitted to the Senate tonight," said White House spokesman Raj Shah.
The FBI concluding the investigation is all but certain to be criticized. Christine Blasey Ford, who alleged Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her when they were teens, was not contacted or interviewed by the FBI during its investigation as of late Wednesday. Nor has another woman, Julie Swetnick, who was the third to accuse Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct.
Ford's lawyers released a statement late Wednesday night condemning the investigation being done without Ford's participation.
"We are profoundly disappointed that after the tremendous sacrifice she made in coming forward, those directing the FBI investigation were not interested in seeking the truth," the statement from Ford's attorneys reads.
The FBI had contacted at least handful of key witnesses in its investigation but some questioned why others were not interviewed.
The report is expected to center on allegations posed by Ford. She testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her while they were in high school. Kavanaugh vehemently denied the allegations.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the Democratic leader on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the FBI's investigation wouldn't be deemed credible without testimony from both Ford and Kavanaugh amid reports they might not be interviewed.
"Last week’s hearing is no substitute for FBI interviews, especially when you consider the tenor of Judge Kavanaugh’s testimony," Feinstein said in a statement. "We have asked repeatedly for the White House to provide us with the scope of the investigation and what restrictions they placed on the FBI. The White House continues to refuse to answer. It’s completely unacceptable to hide this information from the Senate and the public."
Early Wednesday, she and other Democrats didn’t seem to have much information about the FBI report and how it would be rolled out.
Feinstein said she expected to see the report on Thursday but “that’s just my estimation. I don’t know.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called for a slowdown in the process, suggesting senators should have a day to study the FBI report before deciding Kavanaugh's fate.
"A Supreme Court nominee must, whatever their politics, be a shining example of someone who tells the truth," Schumer tweeted. "Every Senator now must assess these serious allegations, and consider whether Judge Kavanaugh has the temperament, independence, and credibility to serve."
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, whose votes are considered key to the nomination, both said they were satisfied with the pace of the process.
McConnell said Tuesday that the report would be finished quickly enough to allow a Senate vote this week.
"We’ll have an FBI report this week, and we’ll have a vote this week," McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters.
McConnell noted that only senators would be able to see the report. He did not say how long he'd wait to schedule a vote after the report was released, but a full vote on Kavanaugh could happen as early as Saturday afternoon if the Senate is ordered to work over the weekend.
President Donald Trump said he expects there to be a vote by week's end.
"And I think the process – I must say, I think – hopefully, as Mitch said, they'll have a vote by the end of the week, and it will be a positive vote. But it will be dependent on what comes back from the FBI," Trump said Tuesday. "The FBI – the FBI is working. They're working very hard. And let's see what happens."
The Justice Department referred questions about the probe back to the White House.
More: Who has FBI contacted in its investigation of Brett Kavanaugh?
Aslo: ‘It's a damn sad situation’: Trump mocks Kavanaugh accuser
Related: Sens. Jeff Flake, Chris Coons channel mentors, John McCain, Joe Biden
The FBI was given a week to conduct its probe. As of Tuesday, the bureau has interviewed at least five key witnesses.
Contributing: Bart Jansen, Erin Kelly, Nicole Gaudiano
The FBI's supplemental background check into Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh has apparently wrapped up and the Senate will receive the results Wednesday evening, according to Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell.
McConnell, speaking on the Senate floor Wednesday evening, said senators would have plenty of time to view the report. He also filed a cloture motion that paves the way for a procedural vote on Kavanaugh's nomination on Friday and a final up-or-down vote on confirmation as early as Saturday.
"This evening, the Senate will receive the results of the FBI’s supplemental background investigation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh," McConnell said on the floor. "This is now the seventh time the FBI has looked into Judge Kavanaugh’s background. And this information comes on top of what has already been one of the most thorough and most exhaustive Senate reviews of any Supreme Court nominee in the entire history of our country."
Much of Wednesday was a waiting game as senators prepared for the report and for its aftermath. The document could be a deciding factor for three Republican senators who hold swing votes on Kavanaugh's appointment since conservatives hold a thin 51-49 majority.
The report, which is planned to be kept secret, is expected to center around accusations of sexual misconduct by Kavanaugh when he was young.
The report was to be given to the White House then is expected to be shipped to Capitol Hill.
"As Leader McConnell stated, the FBI’s supplemental background investigation will be transmitted to the Senate tonight," said White House spokesman Raj Shah.
The FBI concluding the investigation is all but certain to be criticized. Christine Blasey Ford, who alleged Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her when they were teens, was not contacted or interviewed by the FBI during its investigation as of late Wednesday. Nor has another woman, Julie Swetnick, who was the third to accuse Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct.
Ford's lawyers released a statement late Wednesday night condemning the investigation being done without Ford's participation.
"We are profoundly disappointed that after the tremendous sacrifice she made in coming forward, those directing the FBI investigation were not interested in seeking the truth," the statement from Ford's attorneys reads.
The FBI had contacted at least handful of key witnesses in its investigation but some questioned why others were not interviewed.
The report is expected to center on allegations posed by Ford. She testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her while they were in high school. Kavanaugh vehemently denied the allegations.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the Democratic leader on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the FBI's investigation wouldn't be deemed credible without testimony from both Ford and Kavanaugh amid reports they might not be interviewed.
"Last week’s hearing is no substitute for FBI interviews, especially when you consider the tenor of Judge Kavanaugh’s testimony," Feinstein said in a statement. "We have asked repeatedly for the White House to provide us with the scope of the investigation and what restrictions they placed on the FBI. The White House continues to refuse to answer. It’s completely unacceptable to hide this information from the Senate and the public."
Early Wednesday, she and other Democrats didn’t seem to have much information about the FBI report and how it would be rolled out.
Feinstein said she expected to see the report on Thursday but “that’s just my estimation. I don’t know.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called for a slowdown in the process, suggesting senators should have a day to study the FBI report before deciding Kavanaugh's fate.
"A Supreme Court nominee must, whatever their politics, be a shining example of someone who tells the truth," Schumer tweeted. "Every Senator now must assess these serious allegations, and consider whether Judge Kavanaugh has the temperament, independence, and credibility to serve."
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, whose votes are considered key to the nomination, both said they were satisfied with the pace of the process.
McConnell said Tuesday that the report would be finished quickly enough to allow a Senate vote this week.
"We’ll have an FBI report this week, and we’ll have a vote this week," McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters.
McConnell noted that only senators would be able to see the report. He did not say how long he'd wait to schedule a vote after the report was released, but a full vote on Kavanaugh could happen as early as Saturday afternoon if the Senate is ordered to work over the weekend.
President Donald Trump said he expects there to be a vote by week's end.
"And I think the process – I must say, I think – hopefully, as Mitch said, they'll have a vote by the end of the week, and it will be a positive vote. But it will be dependent on what comes back from the FBI," Trump said Tuesday. "The FBI – the FBI is working. They're working very hard. And let's see what happens."
The Justice Department referred questions about the probe back to the White House.
More: Who has FBI contacted in its investigation of Brett Kavanaugh?
Aslo: ‘It's a damn sad situation’: Trump mocks Kavanaugh accuser
Related: Sens. Jeff Flake, Chris Coons channel mentors, John McCain, Joe Biden
The FBI was given a week to conduct its probe. As of Tuesday, the bureau has interviewed at least five key witnesses.
Contributing: Bart Jansen, Erin Kelly, Nicole Gaudiano
https://desimpul.blogspot.com/2018/10/fbi-finishes-kavanaugh-investigation-as.html
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