In tweets on Tuesday evening, a key Republican, who was vocally insistent that the Senate Judiciary Committee hear from Christine Blasey Ford before it votes on the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh, appeared to lightly dial back on his urging.
After calling for a delay in voting on Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court appointment, Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN), who is not on the Senate Judiciary Committee, tweeted Tuesday night that Republicans had acted in “good faith” by offering Blasey Ford a chance to testifying about her allegations. But he said if “both sides” don’t testify as scheduled on Monday, the confirmation should be put to a vote. Blasey Ford has indicated that she would like the FBI to conduct an investigation into her allegations that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her in high school before she testifies.
After learning of the allegation, Chairman @ChuckGrassley took immediate action to ensure both Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh have the opportunity to be heard, in public or private. Republicans extended a hand in good faith. If we don’t hear from both sides on Monday, let’s vote.
— Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) September 19, 2018
While Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ), who serves on the committee, was less outright about his hedging on Tuesday, he also changed his tune on Tuesday and urged Blasey Ford in a late-night tweet to “accept the invitation” to speak on Monday.
“The committee should hear her voice,” he said.
When Dr. Ford came forward, I said that her voice should be heard and asked the Judiciary Committee to delay its vote on Judge Kavanaugh. It did so. I now implore Dr. Ford to accept the invitation for Monday, in a public or private setting. The committee should hear her voice.
— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) September 19, 2018
The tweets came not long after Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) rejected the request for an FBI probe before the hearing and said he was going to move forward with a vote on Monday if Blasely Ford did not agree to testify.