Murkowski: FBI investigation into Kavanaugh would ‘clear up all the questions’

Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) on Tuesday said an FBI investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against Brett Kavanaugh would “clear up all the questions” surrounding the Supreme Court nominee.

“It would sure clear up all the questions, wouldn’t it?” she said when asked if there should be a further FBI investigation into the nominee’s past.

Asked if there should be an FBI investigation into Judge Kavanaugh’s past, Sen. Murkowski says: “It would sure clear up all the questions, wouldn’t it?” pic.twitter.com/jMKzXjqY8h

— NBC News (@NBCNews) September 25, 2018

{mosads}Murkowski, along with GOP Sens. Jeff Flake (Ariz.) and Susan Collins (Maine), is considered one of a few potential swing votes in Kavanaugh’s confirmation process. 

Democrats began calling on the FBI open an investigation after Christine Blasey Ford publicly accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her at a high school party in the 1980s. Republicans have largely said that an FBI investigation is unnecessary and that it is up to senators to determine whether Ford is telling the truth.

Ford has said that Kavanaugh pinned her to a bed and tried to remove her clothes. Ford and Kavanaugh are scheduled to testify Thursday in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on those allegations, which Kavanaugh has flatly denied.

Senate Democrats are also investigating a second allegation dating back to Kavanaugh’s freshman year at Yale University, The New Yorker reported on Sunday. Deborah Ramirez told the magazine that Kavanaugh thrust his exposed penis in her face, causing her to touch it without her consent at a party in a dormitory.

Kavanaugh has also denied that accusation.