FBI Should Investigate Kavanaugh: NH Senators

WASHINGTON, DC -- New Hampshire Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan said an FBI investigation into alleged sexual assault crimes involving Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh is "in the best interest of the American people." The 21-member Senate Judiciary Committee on Friday approved moving Kavanaugh's nomination to the full Senate. The decision followed accusations by Christine Blasey Ford, who accused Kavanugh of a sexually assaulting her when they were teenagers.

Shaheen said Ford's testimony to the committee Thursday was "detailed, moving and credible."

"While I believe Dr. Ford, it’s in the best interest of the American people for these allegations to be fully investigated by the FBI," Shaheen said in a statement. "Without a thorough, independent investigation there will be a cloud over this process, and this nominee that will damage one of our country’s most vital institutions, the Supreme Court."

Shaheen added, "The threats made to both Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh and their families are a sad reflection of the lack of civility in our public debate and are deeply regrettable. We all must do better."

Hassan said she believed Ford.

"(Judge Kavanaugh) showed a lack of truthfulness on a range of issues," Hassan tweeted. "(Thursday's) testimony only reinforced my questions about his credibility. The Senate should halt this confirmation process and there should be an FBI investigation."

Neither Shaheen nor Hassan are among the Senate Judiciary Committee members. The committee includes three Democratic Senators from New England -- Patrick Leahy (Vermont), Sheldon Whitehouse (Rhode Island) and Richard Blumenthal (Connecticut). All three senators opposed moving Kavanaugh's nomination to the full Senate.

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