U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said during an executive business meeting for the committee that he will not delay Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearing.
Democrats are calling to delay Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court after his former attorney, Michael Cohen, entered into a plea deal with special counsel Robert Mueller pleading guilty to eight different charges including tax fraud, bank fraud, and violations of campaign finance law. Cohen stated that Trump directed him to make payments to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal in exchange for their silence during the 2016 presidential campaign. According to the plea deal, the payments were made “for the principal purpose of influencing the election.”
Grassley noted that Democrats were not united in their demands of a delay. He said that U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) wants Kavanaugh’s hearing
“I’m not going to delay Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearing,” Grassley said.
Grassley pointed out that in 1994 when President Bill Clinton nominated Stephen Breyer to the Supreme Court, his confirmation hearing moved forward even though Clinton was under investigation by Independent Counsel Robert Fiske for his connection to the Whitewater land deal.
He also noted that Clinton was under investigation for most of his two terms and was eventually impeached for perjury, but the Senate continued to confirm his judicial nominations.
“President Trump is not even close to being in the same situation as President Clinton,” Grassley stated.
“My colleagues’ pleas to delay the hearing ring hollow. I’ll tell you why. Liberal outside groups and Senate Democratic leaders decided to oppose the President’s Supreme Court nominee by any means necessary. Some even announced their opposition before Judge Kavanaugh was nominated. Minority Leader Schumer said he’d fight Judge Kavanaugh with everything he’s got. Some Members of this Committee announced their opposition before giving him any consideration whatsoever. The goal has always been the same: delay the confirmation process as much as possible and hope Democrats take over the Senate in the midterm elections,” Grassley added.
Watch his remarks below: