Commentary: WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.) released the following statement regarding the sexual assault allegation against Judge Brett Kavanaugh:
“Dr. Ford’s allegation against Judge Kavanaugh is disturbing and should be fully investigated by the FBI. The Senate Judiciary Committee should delay the vote on Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination until that investigation is complete and this deeply serious and troubling allegation has been heard by the committee in the appropriate way.
“The Senate has a constitutional duty to provide advice and consent on a nomination for the Supreme Court, and there is simply no justifiable reason to rush this nomination before Dr. Ford’s allegation has been thoroughly investigated and addressed. Senators on both sides of the aisle have called for a delay, and I am hopeful that more members of the majority will speak up to ensure we treat this matter with the attention it deserves. Attempts to marginalize, attack, and callously dismiss Dr. Ford – and to barrel forward with this nomination – are reprehensible and unacceptable.
“Dr. Ford deserves to be heard and treated with the utmost dignity and respect. The assault Dr. Ford has described is appalling – and someone found to have committed such an act should not receive a lifetime appointment to the highest court in the land.”