Ted Lieu Calls For The House Judiciary Committee To Open Impeachment Hearings On Circuit Court Judge Brett Kavanaugh

This afternoon, USA Today reported that Ted Lieu, a member of the House Judiciary Committee and a former prosecutor, is calling for an impeachment investigation for Brett Kavanaugh, pertaining to his DC Circuit Court position. Ted:

There are now multiple allegations of sexual misconduct against Judge Brett Kavanaugh from Christine Blasey Ford, Deborah Ramirez and a client of Michael Avenatti. It is possible other women will step forward. A president who cared about the facts would order an FBI investigation, just as President George H.W. Bush did for the Anita Hill hearings. But because the executive branch is not interested in the truth, Congress must step in.

The disturbing allegations against Judge Kavanaugh, if true, are not just disqualifying for a Supreme Court nominee; they are disqualifying for a sitting federal judge. The House Judiciary Committee-- where all impeachment proceedings originate-- must open an investigation into these allegations to determine whether Kavanaugh should keep his current job or whether there are grounds for impeachment.

As a former prosecutor, I believe Christine Blasey Ford and Deborah Ramirez. Victims of sexual assault are among the least likely crime victims to come forward because of the social and emotional costs of reporting. The despicable way the college professor has been threatened and attacked demonstrates exactly why more victims don’t report sexual crimes. Ramirez, like Ford, came forward with allegations against Kavanaugh despite knowing her personal life would be upended. Their bravery is commendable and, at minimum, we in Congress owe them an investigation.

A thorough investigation is fair not only to the victims but also to Kavanaugh. It ensures that Congress, as well as the public, has as much information as possible about a sitting federal judge. Republicans seem to intentionally ignore the fact that an investigation-- where witnesses are interviewed, statements are taken, and evidence is gathered-- could exonerate Judge Kavanaugh, who has vehemently denied the multiple accusations.

We don’t yet know how the multiple sexual misconduct allegations will impact Kavanaugh’s nomination. But the desire by Republicans to ram this nomination through, despite serious questions of Kavanaugh’s moral character, should give every American pause.

Even if he is not confirmed, he will still be making decisions critical to American life in his current position on the U.S. Court of Appeals. The House Judiciary Committee has the power and authority to determine Kavanaugh’s suitability to serve as a federal judge at all. We should.

Don't you wish you had a congressman representing you like Ted Lieu? What do you think about helping him into a congressional leadership role? There has been a huge amount of discussion about this action and several Democrats have been talking about taking this obvious step-- but only Ted had the guts to go ahead and do it. Please encourage him-- and other Democrats-- to take this kind of bold action, no matter how politically difficult it is. Expect Trump and his congressional enablers to attack Ted quickly. The thermometer on the right is for his campaign and for his leadership PAC. If you think he did the right thing today, please let him know by making a contribution to either or both.cWe need more Ted Lieus in government and fewer (like in none) Brett Kavanaughs.

Randy Bryce was jubilant and just told us "It's about time a Democrat didn't just talk the talk but walked the walk. Ted was the first member of Congress to encourage me and I look forward to serving with him starting in January."