Leahy, Sanders & Welch Call For Investigation Into Sexual Assault Allegation Against Kavanaugh

All three members of Vermont's congressional delegation are calling for a full investigation into a sexual assault allegation brought against U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh before the U.S. Senate votes on his nomination.

Sen. Patrick Leahy signed onto a letter from the Democratic senators who serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which called for an investigation into this allegation and thus a delay on Kavanaugh's nomination vote currently scheduled for Thursday.

"All Senators, regardless of party, should insist the FBI perform its due diligence and fully investigate the allegations as part of its review of Judge Kavanaugh’s background," the letter stated. "Staff-level examination of these allegations should not go forward until the FBI’s career professionals with the requisite investigative expertise have completed their review."

Christine Blasey Ford alleges that more than 30 years ago, when she and Kavanaugh were teenagers, he sexually assaulted her at a party. 

In June, Ford shared the allegations in a confidential letter to Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California. Ford was identified publicly for the first time Sunday in a story published by The Washington Post. 

Lisa Banks, Ford's attorney, told NPR that Ford "will agree to participate in any proceedings that she's asked to participate in."

More from NPR: "Kavanaugh Accuser Willing To Testify If Asked"

As the senior Democrat serving on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Leahy is playing a key role in the panel's review of these new allegations.

In his own statement issued Monday, Leahy reiterated the group letter's message that the vote on Kavanaugh's nomination should be postponed.

"The integrity of our nation’s highest court is on the line," Leahy stated. "We cannot brush aside these extraordinarily serious allegations in an unseemly rush to confirm Judge Kavanaugh to a lifetime seat. Unimpeachable integrity must never be in doubt."

Kavanaugh said in a statement Friday that he "categorically and unequivocally" denies this assault allegation against him, and he has also said he would be willing to publicly testify on this matter.

More from NPR: "Kavanaugh Denies Allegation Of Sexual Misconduct During High School"

Leahy also spoke with VPR on Monday to elaborate on his position.

"The votes have to be delayed," Leahy told VPR's Bob Kinzel. "I mean, there's no rush to confirm Judge Kavanaugh. This is for a lifetime appointment and take a few more weeks to get it right. I think the American people deserve that, all of the American people."

In a statement Sunday, Sen. Bernie Sanders called the allegation against Kavanaugh "a serious one that deserves a full investigation," adding that a vote on Kavanaugh's nomination should not take place until said investigation happens.

Sanders also spoke with VPR on Monday and reiterated his call for a full investigation into the allegation.

"A very, very serious allegation has been made by a woman who I believe is credible," Sanders told VPR's Bob Kinzel. "I think that that allegation has got to be investigated by the FBI. I don't think it could be done in two or three days. I think Kavanaugh has every right in the world to respond to the allegation; that's going to take time as well."

And Sanders said that he thinks it is fair to look into allegations that reportedly happened more than three decades ago.

"He has said that never occurred. She is a very credible witness and says, 'Yeah, it did occur,'" Sanders said. "So it goes beyond the age and the time in which it was done — which was 35 years ago, a long time ago. It also speaks to the veracity and the character of Judge Kavanaugh."

Leahy said it's important for both Ford and Kavanaugh to publicly testify in front of the committee, which both parties have indicated they would be willing to do.

"It goes from being a trickle effect to almost a waterfall of things," Leahy said, "and so I think all the more reason let's hear what Dr. Ford has to say, let's hear what the background is on it. And then the committee and the American public can make up their mind."

Leahy said it's also critical to review the allegations because he questions if Kavanaugh was entirely truthful with a number of his answers during the committee's initial review of the nomination.

"The problem with Judge Kavanaugh, he's testified before the committee but they've kept hidden over 90 percent of his papers and his files," Leahy said. "In the past we've always said all of these papers should be made public and they should be — and then let's get all of the evidence out there."

And Leahy dismissed charges from some Republicans that the Democrats are desperate to find a reason to delay the confirmation vote.

"If there is nothing to it, then they're going to get a confirmation to a lifetime seat," Leahy said. "If there is something to it, then I think the American people will say, 'Wait a minute — this is not what we want to see in a Supreme Court justice.'"

In addition to Vermont's two senators, Rep. Peter Welch issued a statement Sunday, calling Ford's allegations "credible and deeply troubling."

"The Senate should immediately pause the confirmation process and insist upon a thorough investigation by the FBI," Welch continued.

Update 5:55 p.m. This post was updated to include excerpts of VPR interviews with Leahy and Sanders.

Update 11:42 a.m. This post was updated to include Leahy's individual statement on Kavanaugh.

Update 11:30 a.m. This post was updated to include information about the letter Leahy signed, and to specify that Kavanaugh's statement was made Friday.