Hours before a new sexual misconduct allegation emerged, the Senate Judiciary Committee scheduled a vote on the Supreme Court nomination of Brett Kavanaugh for Friday at 9:30 AM.
A statement by Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority:
“The newest allegations released this morning by Julie Swetnick against Brett Kavanaugh are beyond disturbing. The alleged conduct is outright vile. The Senate has a responsibility to every woman in the United States to ensure that there is a non-partisan, trauma-informed investigation into Kavanaugh’s treatment of women.
It is outrageously offensive that Chairman Chuck Grassley would schedule a committee vote on Kavanaugh before even hearing from Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, and without even bothering to hear from now two other women who have alleged serious sexual misconduct. Clearly, Chairman Grassley is operating with political motivations and has already decided that he does not care what these survivors of sexual violence have to say. By shutting them down he is hurting not only these courageous women, but countless survivors nationwide.
Chairman Grassley, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and other members of the Senate majority are displaying the text book definition of rape culture, where violence against women is so normalized that it does not warrant investigation or consideration.
There are no words strong enough to condemn the actions of the Senate majority leadership and the Senate majority in the Judiciary Committee. This entire process is a sham and a disgrace, and will hurt survivors in the future. Women and girls deserve better.”
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