Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona said he will vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court in a statement released Friday.
“What I do know is that our system of justice affords a presumption of innocence to the accused, absent corroborating evidence. That is what binds us to the rule of law. While some may argue that a different standard should apply regarding the Senate’s advice and consent responsibilities, I believe that the Constitution’s provisions of fairness and due process apply here as well. I will vote to confirm Judge Kavanaugh,” the statement read.
JUST IN: Sen. Jeff Flake: "I will vote to confirm Judge Kavanaugh.” https://t.co/AMrTSO5iHL pic.twitter.com/9kSwXqp8wp
— ABC News (@ABC) September 28, 2018
Following Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony at the Judiciary Committee hearing Thursday evening, Flake met privately with fellow Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, as well as Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia.
The centrist lawmakers indicated they were still undecided on whether to confirm Kavanaugh when they emerged from the meeting. George W. Bush has reportedly called the undecided senators in recent days to urge they support Kavanaugh.
Moments after announcing he would support Kavanaugh’s confirmation, Flake was confronted in a Senate elevator by a woman who identified herself as a victim of sexual assault.
“That’s what you’re telling all women in America, that they don’t matter."
"Don't look away from me. Look at me and tell me that it doesn't matter what happened to me."
Jeff Flake just confronted in an elevator after he says he voting to confirm Kavanaugh. This is something. pic.twitter.com/HQFcQMeaYh
— Colin Jones (@colinjones) September 28, 2018
The Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote to bring Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the floor Friday afternoon and the final confirmation vote is expected to take place Tuesday.