Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), left, met with Brett Kavanaugh on July 17, 2018 (Courtesy: Office of Senator Todd Young)
Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) says he has complete confidence in the "integrity and thoroughness" of the FBI investigation into sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
"FBI's investigation turned up no corroborating evidence whatsover," Young said in a statement Thursday. "It's time to vote."
As NPR reports, Senators — and a few Republican and Democratic aides with proper clearances — are allowed to read a single copy of the report in a secure room at the Capitol in alternating one-hour shifts.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has said that regardless of the findings of the FBI investigation, the Senate will vote this week on whether to end debate on Kavanaugh. That is expected Friday morning.
If that vote passes and the Senate agrees to close the discussion about Kavanaugh, it starts a 30-hour clock that would end with another vote on whether he should take the open seat on the Supreme Court.
That final vote is expected to take place sometime over the weekend. Both votes need a simple majority to pass. The chamber is sharply divided so Republicans need as much support as they can get, but it isn't yet clear how many senators will vote for Kavanaugh.
"Just like the six previous FBI background investigations conducted during Judge Kavanaugh's impeccable record of public service, this supplemental background investigation uncovered no evidence of misconduct," Young said. "I have complete confidence in the integrity and thoroughness of the FBI's investigation."
U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) announced last week he has “deep reservations” about Kavanaugh and would vote against the nomination if it came before the full Senate.
Donnelly's announcement came before President Trump ordered the FBI investigation.
The Hoosier Democrat, who faces a tough re-election bid, is seenas a key swing votein the nomination fight.
I’ve been asking whether @SenDonnelly could change his opposition to Kavanaugh since it hinged much on lack of FBI probe and now there is one. Here’s what a senior aide tells me this morning pic.twitter.com/ZFldn5smpD
Dr. Christine Blasey Ford says Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her when they were in high school. And she testifiedThursdaybefore the Senate Judiciary Committee about the incident.
Kavanaugh strenuously denies the allegation. And he accused Democrats of an orchestrated political hit as revenge for the Clintons.
