NASHVILLE – Republican U.S. Sen. Bob Corker says a confidential FBI background report on U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh “found absolutely zero corroboration” of alleged sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh.
“I plan to vote for Judge Kavanaugh and believe he will be confirmed very soon,” said Corker in a statement noting he had received a briefing on the agency’s supplemental background examination.
Corker and Sen. Lamar Alexander had previously announced they intended to support Kavanaugh following last week’s hearing on claims by Christine Blasey Ford that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her at a party when they were in high school in 1982.
With Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., balking at moving ahead on a confirmation vote until the FBI took a look, President Donald Trump and Senate Republicans were forced into having the FBI examine the allegations.
Democrats now charge the FBI was severely restricted and didn’t contact several corroborating witnesses on allegations raised by Ford and another woman.
On Monday, a group of women with a liberal group who say they have been past victims of sexual assault sought to engage with a number of senators, including Corker and Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C.
Asked whether he supported the FBI’s look at the allegations, Corker said “sure” in a two minute and 26-second video later posted by the advocates.
“I always attempt to do the right thing,” a video shows Corker saying in response to another question.
He said he was “very familiar with people having been assaulted and talked to many and my heart goes out to anybody who’s been affected.”
As he left the airport, the group continued to follow the senator asking questions. “I know this is enjoyable to y’all,” Corker said. “Thank you so much. I appreciate it.”
Another video of Perdue, meanwhile, shows advocates associated with the same progressive advocacy group, the Center for Popular Democracy, approaching him at the airport.
They asked the Georgia senator where he stood on Kavanaugh’s nomination with one calling on him to “stand up and do the right thing” by rejecting it.
The video shows a woman who introduced herself as Arizona state Rep. Islea Blanc seeking to extend her hand to shake Perdue’s.
“Excuse me,” Perdue said. “If I’m touched another time … ”
Replied Blanc: “I haven’t touched you, sir. You aren’t being touched, sir. We’re asking for you to stand up for justice.”
Perdue soon entered a men’s restroom.
Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today praised the FBI for its work, calling the agency “did a remarkable job.”
“After reviewing the proceedings, including more than 30 hours of testimony from Judge Kavanaugh, and reviewing all witness testimony along with the rest of the record that has been presented throughout the course of Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation process, I will support his nomination,” Isakson said.
He said “any judge on the nation’s highest court should be one who understands and applies the law based on the U.S. Constitution, and I have confidence that Judge Kavanaugh will fulfill these duties accordingly. I’ve based my decision on the totality of the information provided during the confirmation process.”
Contact Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com or 615-255-0550. Follow on Twitter @AndySher1.