Sep 29, 2018, 20:33 pm
Let me begin by saying something that should be clear to everyone:
What Dr. Christine Blasey Ford did earlier this week — coming forward as a survivor of sexual assault and sharing her story with the entire nation, knowing full well her character would be under attack and her family’s safety threatened — demonstrated a kind of courage and patriotism that is quite rare.
And then to agree to re-live that trauma once again by participating in an FBI investigation and the continued national spotlight that will come with it is nothing short of heroic.
Let me be clear: Brett Kavanaugh would push this Supreme Court even further to an extreme right wing that desperately wants to gut a woman’s right to choose, further erode voting rights, and make it easier and easier for Wall Street and the billionaire class to buy our elections. Kavanaugh has been dangerous from the beginning, and I have opposed him right from the start.
Dr. Blasey Ford’s experience cannot and must not be ignored, and she deserves a full, serious FBI investigation. It should not be limited to one week. The FBI should have a reasonable time to do its job well.
And America deserves the same.
We are talking about a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court. There is no reason to rush this investigation. None. And let me say something else that I believe many of my colleagues in the Senate agree with, but few would say aloud:
It is very likely that Brett Kavanaugh lied to the Senate repeatedly and under oath during these confirmation hearings and in previous ones as well.
He likely lied about whether or not he used stolen materials while working in the White House to help advance nominees made by President George W. Bush. And anyone watching this last week can tell he was likely lying, repeatedly, about his time in high school and college.
The FBI should have the time to investigate that, as well. The American people deserve no less.
So that is my call today, and I hope you will join me in making your voice heard.
Now I know a few of my friends on both sides of the aisle may say that they are torn or conflicted about this nomination. Maybe they are a bit worried about what will happen in an election or among their party’s base if they vote no or call for a longer investigation.
But I know their fear must be nothing compared to the fear Dr. Ford felt as she raised her right hand and stared at a panel of some of the most powerful men in the nation who worked overtime in the days before to cast doubt on her story.
And what I would ask of them is to summon just a fraction of the courage Dr. Ford showed this week.
They should do what’s right for the nation and push for a full examination of Brett Kavanaugh’s repeated lies to the Senate.
Sign my petition: Tell Congress you believe the FBI should have the time it needs to conduct a full and thorough investigation into Brett Kavanaugh’s repeated lies before the United States Senate.
Thank you for making your voice heard.
In solidarity,
Bernie Sanders
What Dr. Christine Blasey Ford did earlier this week — coming forward as a survivor of sexual assault and sharing her story with the entire nation, knowing full well her character would be under attack and her family’s safety threatened — demonstrated a kind of courage and patriotism that is quite rare.
And then to agree to re-live that trauma once again by participating in an FBI investigation and the continued national spotlight that will come with it is nothing short of heroic.
Let me be clear: Brett Kavanaugh would push this Supreme Court even further to an extreme right wing that desperately wants to gut a woman’s right to choose, further erode voting rights, and make it easier and easier for Wall Street and the billionaire class to buy our elections. Kavanaugh has been dangerous from the beginning, and I have opposed him right from the start.
Dr. Blasey Ford’s experience cannot and must not be ignored, and she deserves a full, serious FBI investigation. It should not be limited to one week. The FBI should have a reasonable time to do its job well.
And America deserves the same.
We are talking about a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court. There is no reason to rush this investigation. None. And let me say something else that I believe many of my colleagues in the Senate agree with, but few would say aloud:
It is very likely that Brett Kavanaugh lied to the Senate repeatedly and under oath during these confirmation hearings and in previous ones as well.
He likely lied about whether or not he used stolen materials while working in the White House to help advance nominees made by President George W. Bush. And anyone watching this last week can tell he was likely lying, repeatedly, about his time in high school and college.
The FBI should have the time to investigate that, as well. The American people deserve no less.
So that is my call today, and I hope you will join me in making your voice heard.
Now I know a few of my friends on both sides of the aisle may say that they are torn or conflicted about this nomination. Maybe they are a bit worried about what will happen in an election or among their party’s base if they vote no or call for a longer investigation.
But I know their fear must be nothing compared to the fear Dr. Ford felt as she raised her right hand and stared at a panel of some of the most powerful men in the nation who worked overtime in the days before to cast doubt on her story.
And what I would ask of them is to summon just a fraction of the courage Dr. Ford showed this week.
They should do what’s right for the nation and push for a full examination of Brett Kavanaugh’s repeated lies to the Senate.
Sign my petition: Tell Congress you believe the FBI should have the time it needs to conduct a full and thorough investigation into Brett Kavanaugh’s repeated lies before the United States Senate.
Thank you for making your voice heard.
In solidarity,
Bernie Sanders
