Enough Is Enough: Investigate or Withdraw

WASHINGTON – Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement on the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh:

“Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony was courageous, humble and credible, while Kavanaugh has demonstrated he clearly lacks the temperament to be a Supreme Court justice. His belligerent testimony further undermined his credibility and effectively disqualifies him to serve on the highest court in the country.

“Additionally, Kavanaugh refuses to call for a nonpartisan FBI background investigation, despite claiming he wants his name cleared. There is no excuse for Republicans’ refusal to request a full and impartial FBI investigation. If they continue to refuse to do so, his nomination must be withdrawn.

“The committee must not move forward with its scheduled vote on Kavanaugh’s nomination tomorrow. To do so would reveal that the chairman and all Senate Republicans are not taking Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and the other allegations of sexual assault seriously.”

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.