More than 100 Democrats in the U.S. House, led by a congresswoman from Florida, are calling on the U.S. Senate to delay confirmation votes on President Donald Trump’s nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court.
With Kavanaugh being accused of sexual assault, U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., the chairwoman of the Democratic Women’s Working Group (DWWG), rounded up 109 House Democrats to send a letter to the U.S. Senate’s leadership-- Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY--and U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Sen. Diane Feinstein, D-Calif., on the matter.
“We urge you to delay Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court until a thorough investigation of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s allegations has taken place,” Frankel and the other House Democrats wrote. “To hold a vote now would be an insult to women and girls, sending a powerful message that they don’t matter and will not be believed. Let’s instead set an example for our children that sexual violence should be taken seriously and emphatically denounced.
“If the allegations of sexual assault are true, they speak to Brett Kavanaugh’s character and ability to determine right from wrong. Before giving Kavanaugh power to make decisions about women’s lives, their protection under our laws prohibiting sexual violence, and their physical autonomy, Congress has a responsibility to allow the American people to learn the truth,” they added.
“In the age of #MeToo, the vitriol that Anita Hill endured cannot happen again, both in our national discourse and throughout any testimony that Dr. Ford chooses to provide. Over this past year, survivors across the country have come forward with harrowing stories of sexual assault and harassment. Their bravery and experiences cannot be in vain," they continued. “Dr. Ford did not want to go public with her story, knowing the hostility, retaliation, and disbelief she would face. We applaud her courage for risking it all. Now that Dr. Ford has taken the brave step to come forward, we must do all we can to treat her with decency and respect.
“We urge the Senate to rise to the occasion, take these allegations with the seriousness and careful consideration they deserve, and allow a thorough investigation,” they wrote in conclusion.
Other Florida Democrats who signed the letter included U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor, Ted Deutch, Darren Soto, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Frederica Wilson.
First elected to Congress in 2012, Frankel is assured of a fourth term in November since she faces no opponents in the general election.
READ MORE FROM SUNSHINE STATE NEWS
