WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) spoke on the Senate floor to detail his decision to vote against the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to serve on the Supreme Court. In his speech, Senator King emphasized Judge Kavanaugh’s judicial philosophy on issues such as healthcare, the environment, and a woman’s right to choose, his refusal to recuse himself from cases on presidential power relating to the President that appointed him that may come before the Supreme Court, and Judge Kavanaugh’s temperament during his hearing last week. 

“I stated my opposition to Brett Kavanaugh’s appointment to the United States Supreme Court before Dr. Ford’s allegations became public,” said Senator King in part during his speech. “Before I ever heard about them – before anyone had heard about them, as far as I know, except some members of the Judiciary Committee. Therefore, I don’t believe you have to believe Dr. Ford to conclude that Judge Kavanaugh should not be elevated to the Supreme Court….

 

“I think based on judicial philosophy…his failure to say he will recuse himself from issues involving the president who appointed him, the incredible lack of documentation based upon his record, and his demeanor last week disqualifies him. No, Mr. President, you don’t have to believe Dr. Ford to conclude as I have that Judge Kavanaugh should not be elevated to the Supreme Court. But Mr. President, before I close I should add one note: I do believe Dr. Ford.”

 

Senator King previously announced his opposition to Judge Kavanaugh in September, before the allegations against him were made public, and yesterday released a statement reaffirming his opposition to the nomination after reviewing the FBI’s supplementary background investigation into Judge Kavanaugh.