The FBI's report on its investigation into the allegations of sexual assault made against Judge Brett Kavanaugh has been released to members of the United States Senate. The report was not released to the public.
CRTV congressional correspondent Nate Madden has been gathering reaction from members of the Senate. Republicans say that the FBI report demonstrated that there is no corroborating evidence to support the accusations against Kavanaugh. Democrats are largely criticizing the FBI investigation itself, complaining that it was "limited" and "incomplete."
Here's what Republican senators are saying:
.@TomCottonAR to me on FBI report: "Nothing to corroborate these allegations beforehand; even less to corroborate them now."— Nate Madden (@Nate Madden)1538665715.0
Orrin Hatch also tells me that there's still no corroborating evidence of the allegations against Kavanaugh to be found in the FBI report.— Nate Madden (@Nate Madden)1538665903.0
GRAHAM on FBI report says "the summaries suggest nothing new" and says they add "more confirmation" that the allega… https://t.co/0mKDT8EGIW— Nate Madden (@Nate Madden)1538666230.0
GRAHAM on Kavanaugh report: "Here's the big thing: Was the FBI allowed to do the supplemental background check with… https://t.co/UIJCPo6bat— Nate Madden (@Nate Madden)1538666629.0
"No corroboration - none whatsoever - of Mrs. Ramirez's allegation or Dr. Ford's." -@JohnKennedyLA on the findings… https://t.co/L2NMuF0wyr— Nate Madden (@Nate Madden)1538668652.0
In a press conference about the report, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., told reporters "the most notable part of this report is what's not in it." She complained that the FBI did not interview Kavanaugh or his accuser Christine Blasey Ford.
"Candidly, what we reviewed today in very limited time ... looks to be a product of an incomplete investigation that was limited," Feinstein said. She accused the White House of preventing the FBI "from doing its job."
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., also criticized the "limited process" at the press conference.
"We had many fears that this was a very limited process that would constrain the FBI from getting all the facts. Having received a thorough briefing on the documents, those fears have been realized," Schumer said.
Other Democrats are echoing party leadership:
BOOKER on FBI report: "There is much in there that raises more questions" & there's "significant evidence" that "re… https://t.co/6GrrWPNQJ5— Nate Madden (@Nate Madden)1538669803.0
HIRONO deflects when asked point-blank about whether FBI report contains any corroborating evidence against Kavanau… https://t.co/zqPiIJIXb3— Nate Madden (@Nate Madden)1538670191.0
Madden points out that amid all of the hullabaloo over the report, the only senators with opinions that matter are the five moderates who were undecided on Kavanaugh and wanted an FBI investigation to be completed before they made up their minds.
There's going to be a lot of sound bites and quotes from politicians about the FBI report today. Keep in mind tha… https://t.co/lc2Y8KhygY— Nate Madden (@Nate Madden)1538667062.0
UNDECIDED UPDATE: Collins walks by reporters on her phone not answering questions (with USCP officer alongside)… https://t.co/nUYsgGXHeQ— Nate Madden (@Nate Madden)1538669955.0
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, told reporters earlier that the FBI investigation "appears to be a very thorough investigation," possibly signaling that she is satisfied with its findings.
The Senate will vote on Kavanaugh's confirmation to the Supreme Court on Saturday.