Read: Kavanaugh's prepared remarks for Thursday's hearing

The Hill ^ | 09/26/18 | Hill Staff

[yesthatjallen]

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday released the full text of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's prepared testimony.

Kavanaugh is will speak before the panel on Thursday, where he prepares to address sexual assault allegations that have threatened to derail his nomination.

Kavanaugh's accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, will also speak in front of the panel. Ford alleges that Kavanaugh attempted to remove her clothing and muffled her screams during a high school party in the early 1980s.

Two other women, Deborah Ramirez and Julie Swetnick, have also accused Kavanaugh in recent days of sexual misconduct. Kavanaugh has denied those claims as well.

Read Kavanaugh's full prepared testimony here.

Kavanaugh Prepared Statement

[cuban leaf]

My firewall blocks me from going to their link to the document.

[Danette]

Ford just released her lie detector info to Huffington Post.

[shelterguy]

I think it says...... show some proof or kiss my ass

[Gen.Blather]

Prepared Written Testimony of Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh
Nomination Hearing to Serve as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
September 27, 2018 (submitted September 26, 2018)
Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Feinstein, and Members of the Committee:
Eleven days ago, Dr. Ford publicly accused me of committing a serious wrong more
than 36 years ago when we were both in high school. I denied the allegation
immediately, unequivocally, and categorically. The next day, I told this Committee
that I wanted to testify as soon as possible, under oath, to clear my name.
Over the past few days, other false and uncorroborated accusations have been
aired. There has been a frenzy to come up with something—anything, no matter
how far-fetched or odious—that will block a vote on my nomination. These are last-
minute smears, pure and simple. They debase our public discourse. And the
consequences extend beyond any one nomination. Such grotesque and obvious
character assassination—if allowed to succeed—will dissuade competent and good
people of all political persuasions from serving our country.
As I told this Committee the last time I appeared before you, a federal judge
must be independent, not swayed by public or political pressure. That is the kind of
judge I am and will always be. I will not be intimidated into withdrawing from this
process. This effort to destroy my good name will not drive me out. The vile threats
of violence against my family will not drive me out. I am here this morning to
answer these allegations and to tell the truth. And the truth is that I have never
sexually assaulted anyone—not in high school, not in college, not ever.
Sexual assault is horrific. It is morally wrong. It is illegal. It is contrary to
my religious faith. And it contradicts the core promise of this Nation that all people
are created equal and entitled to be treated with dignity and respect. Allegations of
sexual assault must be taken seriously. Those who make allegations deserve to be
heard. The subject of allegations also deserves to be heard. Due process is a
foundation of the American rule of law.
Dr. Ford’s allegation dates back more than 36 years, to a party that she says
occurred during our time in high school. I spent most of my time in high school
focused on academics, sports, church, and service. But I was not perfect in those
days, just as I am not perfect today. I drank beer with my friends, usually on
weekends. Sometimes I had too many. In retrospect, I said and did things in high
school that make me cringe now. But that’s not why we are here today. What I’ve

been accused of is far more serious than juvenile misbehavior. I never did anything
remotely resembling what Dr. Ford describes.
The allegation of misconduct is completely inconsistent with the rest of my
life. The record of my life, from my days in grade school through the present day,
shows that I have always promoted the equality and dignity of women.
I categorically and unequivocally deny the allegation against me by Dr. Ford.
I never had any sexual or physical encounter of any kind with Dr. Ford. I am not
questioning that Dr. Ford may have been sexually assaulted by some person in some
place at some time. But I have never done that to her or to anyone. I am innocent
of this charge.
[Additional Testimony To Follow]

of 2

[mewzilla]

Was the full poly report released or just a summary?

[TangledUpInBlue]

Good

[Reno89519]

Rather clear.

[Rumierules]

Appears to be just a summary stating that a handwritten report by her is truthful. The handwritten statement is attached.

[mewzilla]

That is an uncategorical denial denial.

[adingdangdoo]

Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Feinstein, and Members of the Committee:

Eleven days ago, Dr. Ford publicly accused me of committing a serious wrong more than 36 years ago when we were both in high school. I denied the allegation immediately, unequivocally, and categorically.

The next day, I told this Committee that I wanted to testify as soon as possible, under oath, to clear my name. Over the past few days, other false and uncorroborated accusations have been aired. There has been a frenzy to come up with something—anything, no matter how far-fetched or odious—that will block a vote on my nomination.
These are last-minute smears, pure and simple. They debase our public discourse. And the consequences extend beyond any one nomination. Such grotesque and obvious character assassination—if allowed to succeed—will dissuade competent and good people of all political persuasions from serving our country.

As I told this Committee the last time I appeared before you, a federal judge must be independent, not swayed by public or political pressure. That is the kind of judge I am and will always be. I will not be intimidated into withdrawing from this process.

This effort to destroy my good name will not drive me out. The vile threats of violence against my family will not drive me out. I am here this morning to answer these allegations and to tell the truth. And the truth is that I have never sexually assaulted anyone—not in high school, not in college, not ever.

Sexual assault is horrific. It is morally wrong. It is illegal. It is contrary to my religious faith. And it contradicts the core promise of this Nation that all people are created equal and entitled to be treated with dignity and respect.

Allegations of sexual assault must be taken seriously. Those who make allegations deserve to be heard. The subject of allegations also deserves to be heard. Due process is a foundation of the American rule of law.

Dr. Ford’s allegation dates back more than 36 years, to a party that she says occurred during our time in high school. I spent most of my time in high school focused on academics, sports, church, and service. But I was not perfect in those days, just as I am not perfect today. I drank beer with my friends, usually on weekends. Sometimes I had too many. In retrospect, I said and did things in high school that make me cringe now.

But that’s not why we are here today. What I’ve been accused of is far more serious than juvenile misbehavior. I never did anything remotely resembling what Dr. Ford describes.

The allegation of misconduct is completely inconsistent with the rest of my life. The record of my life, from my days in grade school through the present day, shows that I have always promoted the equality and dignity of women.

I categorically and unequivocally deny the allegation against me by Dr. Ford. I never had any sexual or physical encounter of any kind with Dr. Ford. I am not questioning that Dr. Ford may have been sexually assaulted by some person in some place at some time. But I have never done that to her or to anyone. I am innocent of this charge.

[mewzilla]

Thanks!

Snort. Well, that summary is about as useful as teats on a bull.

[Kickass Conservative]

Why is his Opening Statement being released a day before he Testifies?

[JoSixChip]

I drank beer with my friends, usually on weekends. Sometimes I had too many.

That will be the focus of the hearing. I wish he could have left that out, but maybe best to get it out in the open now.

[G Larry]

Why would he give his enemy a heads up?

[Rumierules]

Probably his choice.

[Alberta's Child]

When someone testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee (or maybe any committee), he or she must submit a statement by 10:00 AM on the day before the hearing. I believe this is legally a "sworn statement" for all intents and purposes. Without this statement, the committee would have no official record of why a witness was appearing before them.

Christine Ford would have been required to submit one, too. I wonder where hers is?

[shelterguy]

The summary is handwritten. That definitely makes it true /s

[Rumierules]

He’s not worried about Ford. Giving info and time to folks like Collins and Flake.

[MrChips]

It’s partial. More to come tomorrow.