Brett Kavanaugh hearing: Democrats storm out ahead of crucial vote

Patrick Grafton-Green28 September 2018

Democrats stormed out of the hearing on Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court after it was announced a vote would take place later.

Senators Kamala Harris of California, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island were among those to walk out out in anger on Friday morning.

The Republican party chairman had said a vote on the nomination would go ahead at 1.30pm (6.30pm BST).

It came after Mr Kavanaugh, 53, gained the support of key Republican senator Jeff Flake of Arizona.

Senators Kamala Harris and Mazie Hirono, both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, were among those to walk out
AFP/Getty Images

Mr Flake, who is on the committee overseeing the hearing, announced he would vote to confirm Mr Kavanaugh, who he said was entitled to the "presumption of innocence... absent corroborating evidence."

The vote was approved by a committee vote. The Democrats who objected complained that Republicans were rushing the confirmation.

During the vote, Ms Hirono shouted: "I strongly object. What a railroad job. No, no, no."

Mr Kavanaugh has fiercely denied sexually assaulting Christine Blasey Ford when the pair were teenagers. Dr Ford, 51, tesified on Friday that she was "100 percent" he was guilty.

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