Lambda Legal and 60 LGBT Organizations Urge Senate to Postpone Kavanaugh Hearing and to Properly Investigate the Allegations of Sexual Assault

“We demand this nomination be halted until these serious sexual assault allegations can be properly and thoroughly investigated by both the Senate and by appropriate authorities.”

(Washington, DC – Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018) Today, Lambda Legal joined with 60 national, state and local advocacy organizations, representing the interests of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and everyone living with HIV to urge the Senate Judiciary Committee to postpone any further activity pertaining to Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination until they are able to conduct a thorough investigation of the sexual assault allegations made against him.

In a letter delivered to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee today, the 61 organizations urged the committee to ensure a fair and appropriate investigation take place regarding the detailed and credible allegations of sexual assault made by Professor Christine Blasey Ford. They also highlighted that moving ahead on such an artificially expedited schedule will do lasting and irreparable damage to the legitimacy of not only the United States Senate but the Supreme Court as well.

Sharon McGowan, Lambda Legal Chief Strategy Officer and Legal Director, issued the following statement:

“Professor Blasey Ford’s allegations demand a full and thorough vetting.

“Since the announcement of Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination July 9, LGBT advocacy groups have repeatedly asked the Senate Judiciary Committee to release his full record so that the Senate and the public have full information about the man who has been nominated for a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court.

“Time and time again, the GOP-majority has refused to heed our call and instead has rushed forward with confirmation hearings – despite the fact that 90 percent of the nominee’s records have not yet been disclosed. The nomination process has been tainted from the start by the failure by both the nominee and Republican leadership to disclose key information in Kavanaugh’s record. The evidence suggesting that Kavanaugh has provided untruthful testimony under oath – about his substantive views, as well as his conduct while in the George W. Bush White House -- only exacerbates our already grave concerns.

“We demand this nomination be halted until these serious sexual assault allegations can be properly and thoroughly investigated by both the Senate and by appropriate authorities. Any failure to do so will lead to lasting and potentially irreparable damage to the credibility of the highest court in the land as well as to the United States Senate. This should not be a partisan issue and we ask the Senate Judiciary Committee and all of the members of the United States Senate to put integrity and principles above partisanship.”

***

Past articles and information pertaining to the Kavanaugh nomination can be found here:

• LGBTQ Advocates Oppose Brett Kavanaugh Confirmation to U.S. Supreme Court as a Threat to Queer Lives (July 2018)

• The American People Deserve the Truth about Kavanaugh’s LGBTQ Record Before His Hearing Begins on Sept. 4 (August 2018)

• Lambda Legal and American Oversight Sue HHS in Quest for Kavanaugh Documents (September 2018)