Dem senator: Judiciary Committee doing ‘railroad job’ against Kavanaugh accuser

Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) said Thursday that the Senate Judiciary Committee, led by Republicans, was railroading Christine Blasey Ford, the woman who has accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault.

“Really, I would call it a railroad job,” Hirono told reporters. “And it’s totally unfair.”

Hirono indicated that the committee should honor Ford’s request for an FBI investigation into her allegation against Kavanaugh before she testifies on Capitol Hill.

{mosads}”You have the entire force of the presidency and all of the supporters of Judge Kavanaugh in the Senate arrayed on one side and on this other side you have Dr. Ford who doesn’t even have the benefit an FBI investigation, as well all have called for,” Hirono said. “How unfair is that?”

Ford’s lawyer said Tuesday night that she would not testify before the committee until the FBI had conducted an investigation of her claim that Kavanaugh attempted to sexually assault her at a part in the early 1980s when they were both in high school.

The Justice Department said in a statement this week that the FBI “does not make any judgment about the credibility or significance of any allegation” and that the bureau’s role “is to provide information for the use of the decision makers.”

Democrats immediately backed Ford’s request, something Republicans have called a stalling tactic designed to delay Kavanaugh’s confirmation vote beyond the midterm elections, which might give Democrats a better chance of blocking his confirmation.

Hirono said she found it suspicious that Kavanugh is not asking for an FBI investigation.

“Why isn’t Judge Kavanaugh asking for an FBI investigation, if she has nothing to hide?” she said.

Kavanaugh, who has denied the accusation against him, said he is willing to testify at a special hearing scheduled for Monday to discuss the allegations. Ford has also been invited to testify, and she faces a Friday 10 a.m. deadline for letting the Judiciary Committee know whether she will attend.

Hirono added that she believes that committee Republicans are set on getting Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court, regardless of Ford’s allegations.

“They are totally intent on getting Judge Kavanaugh onto the Supreme Court, come Hell or high water,” Hirono said. “You have to ask yourself, why?”