Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) on Thursday said the FBI’s reopened investigation into Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh appears to have been “very thorough.”
“It appears to be a very thorough investigation,” she told reporters.
{mosads}Collins is considered one of a few key swing votes in Kavanaugh’s confirmation process. She was among the Republican senators who supported a supplemental FBI investigation into Kavanaugh amid multiple allegations of sexual misconduct against the nominee.
Collins has stayed mum on how she will vote on Kavanaugh. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has vowed to bring a vote on Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the full Senate this week.
Three women — Christine Blasey Ford, Deborah Ramirez and Julie Swetnick — have publicly accused Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct, allegations he has denied.
The White House last week asked the FBI to open an investigation into Kavanaugh after Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), another key swing vote, called for one.
Senators reviewed the FBI’s final report on Thursday.
Several GOP lawmakers have said the FBI’s report doesn’t provide corroboration of the allegations, including Flake. He said Thursday that he saw “no additional corroborating information” in the report.
Democrats have accused the White House of limiting the scope of the investigation and refusing to allow interviews of key witnesses, such as Ford.