ABA: Delay Kavanaugh Vote, Let FBI Investigate

The American Bar Association is urging the Senate Judiciary Committee and the full Senate to slow down on the vote on Brett Kavanaugh for a position on the Supreme Court until the FBI has time to do a full background check on claims of sexual assault made by Christine Blasey Ford and other women.

"We make this request because of the ABA's respect for the rule of law and due process under law,"said the letter to committee leadership, signed by ABA President Robert M. Carlson."The basic principles that underscore the Senate’s constitutional duty of advice and consent on federal judicial nominees require nothing less than a careful examination of the accusations and the facts by the FBI," the letter said.

"Each appointment to our nation's highest court (as with all others) is simply too important to rush to a vote."

The ABA earlier this month rated Kavanaugh "well-qualified," its highest rating. Ratings are "based on professional competence, integrity and judicial temperament," the ABA said in igs announcement.