Norton, House Democrats Speak Out in Support of Kavanaugh Accusers, Increase Call for FBI Investigation

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today spoke at a press conference hosted by House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) supporting Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and the other women who have come forward to tell their stories regarding Judge Brett Kavanaugh. Norton said that Republicans have learned few lessons since she and six of her women colleagues in the House walked over to the Senate to demand a hearing for Anita Hill, and that standard investigation by the Federal Bureau Investigation must be conducted now, particularly as new accusers have come forward.

In her remarks, Norton said, in part, "The rush to judgement is highly risky for the Supreme Court itself, as well as for Judge Kavanaugh, as more women appear to be gathering the courage to come forward, bolstered by those who have come forward before them…To deny the usual FBI investigation, Republicans fall back on the six background checks that were necessary for Judge Kavanaugh's federal employment and for a federal judgeship. Those background checks only point up the necessity for the FBI to go back and check what it missed, perhaps understandably…If high moral and ethical standards are expected of ordinary citizens, judges who sit in judgement of ordinary citizens should be held to even higher standards."

Norton's full remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below.

"Senate Republicans appear to have learned only the two most obvious lessons from the Anita Hill controversy. First: women Members of Congress did not have to walk over to the Senate to get a hearing, as seven of us did in 1991. Second: Republicans have learned to avoid the optics of all-male interrogators on their side.

"Because the Judiciary Committee Republicans have no women members, they have had to go to outside counsel. Nevertheless, the Republican majority has failed to make the necessary preparations to credibly handle the serious substance of these allegations.

"These allegations are very different than the alleged sexual harassment by Justice Clarence Thomas. Sexual assault is a criminal allegation.

"The rush to judgement is highly risky for the Supreme Court itself, as well as for Judge Kavanaugh, as more women appear to be gathering the courage to step forward, bolstered by those who have come forward before them.

"So far, three women have spoken out—Christine Blasey Ford, Deborah Ramirez, and Julie Swetnick, who is my constituent. I have not yet had the chance to reach out to Ms. Swetnick, but in a sworn affidavit, she alleges that she was a victim of a "gang" or "train" rape, where Brett Kavanaugh and Mark Judge were present.

"President George H.W. Bush at least ordered the usual FBI investigation, notwithstanding criticism of its quality and the time provided. However, in the week and a half of controversy already surrounding Dr. Ford's allegations, an FBI investigation could have occurred or been well underway.

"To deny the usual FBI investigation, Republicans fall back on the six background checks that were necessary for Judge Kavanaugh's federal employment and for a federal judgeship. Those background checks only point up the necessity for the FBI to go back and check what it missed, perhaps understandably.

"Considering the embarrassment and risk that women face when they speak publically about sexual matters until this day, it may have been difficult for the FBI to draw out the women who are beginning to come forward to be examined under oath today.

"Even more notably, Dr. Ford has taken steps beyond offering to testify under risk of perjury in a public hearing. She has taken a polygraph test. Judge Kavanaugh has offered his version of events on television but has not yet submitted anything under oath and, of course, has not offered to take a lie director test.

"If high moral and ethical standards are expected of ordinary citizens, judges who sit in judgement of ordinary citizens should be held to even higher standards."