Donnelly Joins Dems Seeking Delay On Kavanaugh Confirmation

Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at 7:42 AM

By Mike Perleberg @mikedup84

Sexual assault allegation against the Supreme Court nominee came to light last week.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - Indiana U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly is among lawmakers calling for a planned vote on President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee to be delayed.

A woman has come forward to say Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her more than 30 years ago – a claim that Democrats learned in July but only made public last week following the nominee’s confirmation hearing. Kavanaugh is denying the woman’s story, which dates back to when they were in high school.

A vote by the Senate Judiciary Committee was set for Thursday, but lawmakers from both parties are now calling for more time to review the woman’s allegations.

Donnelly, a Democrat, issued a statement that he takes the situation seriously.

“The allegations made against Judge Kavanaugh are serious and merit further review,” Donnelly said. “Given the nature of these allegations, and the number of outstanding questions, I believe the Judiciary Committee should hold off on Thursday’s scheduled vote.”

Donnelly has resisted calls from his 2018 election opponent, Republican businessman Mike Braun, to announce whether he will support or oppose Kavanaugh’s nomination. If Kavanaugh’s nomination gets to the Senate floor, it could put Donnelly on the hot seat, as he runs for re-election in a state which President Trump won with 57 percent of the vote in 2016.

Braun has not commented on the allegations against Kavanaugh.