Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., shot down New York Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer’s request to have the FBI brief all senators about its report on sex assault allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
In a letter Wednesday to the Senate Minority Leader, McConnell said the requested briefing would violate rules about reports on background investigations, The Hill reported.
“The briefing you request is not authorized by the [memorandum of understanding],” McConnell wrote. “It would be unprecedented and irregular. For example, there was no such briefing on the supplemental [background investigation] for the nomination of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court.”
"I believe it would be used to further delay this nomination-a goal about which you and your Democratic colleagues have been abundantly clear and single-minded in pursuing," he added.
"The Chairman of the Committee has promptly and professionally investigated every credible (and incredible), last-minute allegation against Judge Kavanaugh, consistent with standard committee practices. The FBI's supplemental [background investigation] will be handled in the same professional and customary manner.”
Schumer called McConnell’s response “very telling."
"We believe the more openness the better but some of our colleagues on the other side clearly don't share that view,” Schumer said, The Hill reported.
“The reports that the White House has severely limited this investigation are deeply concerning, and our colleagues' determination to keep those restrictions secret is very telling.”
GOP senators expect the FBI to hand over its report Wednesday, paving the way for an initial vote on Kavanaugh’s nomination as early as Friday, The Hill reported.
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