vote of the committee as early be a vote of the committee as early as tomorrow morning. democrats have said that is totally unfair. do you think that vote goes ahead tomorrow, do you think of the senate votes any time soon as what we have heard today mean that this process gets put on hold for some kind of or at least some kind of pause? there are a variety of options... we wa nt there are a variety of options... we want to get this done if not before the midterms which seems unlikely if they go with someone new then after they go with someone new then after the midterms during the lame—duck session between the midterms and with any senate is —— when a new senate is formed in. they could very well push forward if brett kavanaugh does a decent job, well push forward if brett kavanaugh does a decentjob, if he studies the ship so to speak in his testimony later today. they could have a vote tomorrow. they started the procedural ball rolling for a vote

tomorrow. her see julie if they do vote tomorrow, it would take a minimum of five days before the floor of the senate could vote on kavanaugh's confirmation. they have to introduce it on the floor, they had to give a certain period of time. democrats are not going to do anything to speed up the process so we are looking at a confirmation vote in the middle of next week on wednesday. whether they decide to do more investigation, ithink wednesday. whether they decide to do more investigation, i think a decision to do more investigation is the kiss of death for the nomination. i think that they won't decide to reopen this up, slow it down and stick with brett kavanaugh. if you do get answered quickly or abandon him entirely because what they gain from slowing it down, they don't gain anything they couldn't also half from just going with a different nominee and starting the process over from scratch. stay with us process over from scratch. stay with us because we're just looking at the committee room where things are starting to happen again. i hear the judge kavanaugh's parents havejust

gone into that room. there are also around congress this afternoon a number of demonstrations that are ongoing as well. women's protests in support of christine blasey ford, calls for an investigation and of course, anthony, as we're looking at these pictures, the huge risk for these pictures, the huge risk for the republicans goes well beyond the appointment of a supreme court judge, the huge risk a0 days from the midterms as women start to walk away from the republican side. and there's indications now the gender gap between republicans and democrats for women is larger than ever, that more and more women are going to vote democratic in these midterms than ever before. that is a huge risk. but you cannot come down and say one word or the other the politics are going to definitively be in favour of the democrats or the republicans. republicans could... we do not know how they are going to respond to this. they could be more

motivated come out and do because they see someone like kavanaugh's vote being railroaded. brett kavanaugh vote being railroaded. brett kava naugh would be vote being railroaded. brett kavanaugh would be the fifth reliable conservative vote on the supreme court. people look to the supreme court. people look to the supreme court. people look to the supreme court as a way to overturning a 45—year—old ruling on abortion, it is so close to them. if brett kava naugh gets abortion, it is so close to them. if brett kavanaugh gets pulled that committee taken from the clutches. that could given the extra motivation to come out and vote. that could given the extra motivation to come out and votelj think it could be a huge motivating factor if brett kavanaugh is not confirmed. although we talk a lot about the women vote and we see protests there, a lot of women outside capitol hill, there are also people and hearing from the republican side view of women outside capitol hill, there are also people and hearing from the republican side who upset, we have men out there who are saying does this mean every man is going to be accused when he is put up for some seniorjob? is as political correctness run amok in the country?

it do not underestimate that as a factor for voters you're not in the november election as well. i think of the republicans had to choose between winning the supreme court and losing the senate, the that anthony has just laid out, and losing the senate, the that anthony hasjust laid out, and this is an indication of how important supreme court is, they would rather win this seat on the supreme court. this gives them a conservative leaning on the supreme court for potentially to come. they do not wa nt to potentially to come. they do not want to lose the senate but if they had to choose, don't you think they'd rather have the supreme court over the senate? there is a senate election, and natural senate election. a third of the senate is up election. a third of the senate is up every two years. supreme court appointments are for life. having a 52—year—old man on the course, he will be there realistically, i think, for 30 years. they see what the cortisone in the past on decisions that are important to them oi'i decisions that are important to them on abortion, on gay rights, on gun control. they know how important it is. they were one vote away from

overturning all of 0bamacare just a few years ago. they see the impact this has and as you say, i think they see this as a much bigger deal. they've been working towards for decades trying to get a conservative majority on the courts and as i mentioned, it is so close. they can taste it. just watching pictures of senator grassley taking his seat in the chair of the justice committee. let me paint a scenario for you. if the republicans don't get the vote, fla ke, the republicans don't get the vote, flake, collins, murkowski go the other way or perhaps even other republicans, who knows? but let's say they don't get the vote. is it possible donald trump could get a candidate through congress before the midterms? that seems unlikely and extreme. you have to first of all introduced the new candidate to and the new nominee... you consider

the committee hearing. there are written questions submitted to a new nominee. then there's the committee vote, then there's the floor vote. there has been months and this process for brett kavanaugh coming up process for brett kavanaugh coming up to this point and it is difficult in the senate, which is the world's greatest deliberative body as they like to describe themselves, to speed things up or he could get it donein speed things up or he could get it done injust ao speed things up or he could get it done injust 40 days. —— speed it up to get it done injust ao done injust 40 days. —— speed it up to get it done injust 40 days. chuck grassley looks ready to gavel this session back in. there is senator feinstein. she is sitting right next to him. read kavanaugh's pa rents, right next to him. read kavanaugh's parents, as we said, are already in the room and there is justice kavanaugh, judge kavanaugh, brett kavanaugh, judge kavanaugh, brett kava naugh walking into kavanaugh, judge kavanaugh, brett kavanaugh walking into the hearing with his wife, holding his hand. she has been a supporter of his. she sat next to him during the fox news interview. again, both of them denied all of these allegations. the

door of the committee room being shot. that means the proceedings are going to begin. he will take his seat. we will have democrats and republicans asking questions during the course of the next couple of hours which are critical, christian, for brett kava naugh's hours which are critical, christian, for brett kavanaugh's future. i'm going to hear... wait for him to ta ke going to hear... wait for him to take his seat i , but what is going to happen this time is we're pretty much more aggressive tone from the democrats and the republicans now after what has been a very difficult morning for their side, well, they've got to help their man get across the line. yeah, anyway they‘ re help their man get across the line. yeah, anyway they're going to do thatis yeah, anyway they're going to do that is by counting votes. this will come back to numbers. this will be a process of mitch mcconnell, the senate majority leader, after these hearings calling senators and making sure they are still on board and

seeing whether they have the votes to get him past the weather they've got is 51 votes they need or whether any of the people who are wavering before this hearing still feel squeamish enough or still feel unconfident enough that they are not going to vote for him. this is an absolutely critical double of hours for brett kavanaugh, for his future and for the supreme court and whether it will lean conservative in the test for donald trump as well. here's chuck grassley. the test for donald trump as well. here's chuck grassleylj the test for donald trump as well. here's chuck grassley. i have something i want to clear up from the last meeting that does not affect you, so before i swear you, i would like to explain my response to senator kennedy right after the break. at that time, i entered into the record the statements of three witnesses, doctor ford said were also at the party. these statements are provided to us under penalty of felony by line to congress. as soon as my team learned the names of these three potential witnesses, we

immediately reached out to them, requesting an interview. in response, all three submitted state m e nts response, all three submitted statements to us denying any knowledge of the gathering doctor ford described. if we had calls with them, we would have invited the minority tojoin. every time we've received information aboutjudge every time we've received information about judge kavanaugh, we decide to immediately follow through and investigate. the minority staff sat on dr ford's letters for weeks and staff told us they believe it is "highly inappropriate" to have these follow—up calls before the fbi finishes its investigation even though the fbi had seen the need —— completed its background information. we followed up with judge kavanaugh after you received

allegations. the ranking member staff did join us even though these calls are usually done on a bipartisan basis. they joined calls are usually done on a bipartisan basis. theyjoined other calls with thejudge bipartisan basis. theyjoined other calls with the judge but they did not participate or ask any questions. would you please rise, sir? do you affirm that the testimony you're about to give the committee will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you god?” whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you god? i do. and likely offered to doctor ford, you can take whatever time you want and offer your opening statement and then we'll go to questions. proceed. mrchairman, ranking then we'll go to questions. proceed. mr chairman, ranking member feinstein, members of the committee, thank you for allowing me to make my statements. i wrote thank you for allowing me to make my statements. iwrote it thank you for allowing me to make my statements. i wrote it myself yesterday afternoon and evening. no one has seen a draft or it except

for one of my former law clerks. this is my statement. less than two weeks ago, dr ford publicly accuse me of committing wrongdoing at an event more than 36 years ago. when we we re event more than 36 years ago. when we were both in high school. i denied the allegation immediately, categorically and unequivocally. all four people allegedly at the event, including dr ford's long—time friend, have said they recalled no such events. her long—time friend sent under penalty of felony that she does not know me and does not believe she ever saw me at a party ever. here is the quote from her attorney's letter. " simply put, she does not know mr kavanaugh and she

has no recollection of ever being in a party or gathering where he was present, with or without dr ford." think about that fact. the day after the allegation appeared, i told this committee that i wanted a hearing as sooi'i as committee that i wanted a hearing as soon as possible to clear my name. i demanded a hearing the very next day. unfortunately, it took the committee ten days to get to this hearing. in those ten long days, as was predictable, and i said predicted, my family and my name have been totally and permanently destroyed by vicious and false additional accusations. the ten day delay has been harmful to me and my family, to the supreme court, into the country. when this allegation

first arose and i welcomed any kind of investigation, senate, fbi or otherwise. the committee now has conducted a thorough investigation andl conducted a thorough investigation and i cooperated fully. i know any kind of investigation, senate, fbi, montgomery county police, whatever, will clear me. listen to the people i know. listen to the people who've known my whole life. listen to the people i've grown up with and works with and played with and coast with an updated and taught. and gone to games with and had beers with. and listen to the witnesses who allegedly were at this event. listen to... she does not know me. i was not at the party described by dr ford. this confirmation process has

become a national disgrace. the constitution gives the senate in important role in the confirmation ross s. but you have replaced advise and consent with search and destroy. since my nomination injuly, there has been a frenzy on the left to come up with something, anything, to block my confirmation. shortly i after was nominated in the democratic senate leader said he would "oppose me with everything he's got." a democratic senator on this committee publicly referred to me as evil. evil. think about that word. it said that those supporting me were" complicit in evil." another democratic senator on this committee said "judge kavanaugh is your worst

nightmare." a former head of the democratic national committee said" judge kavanaugh will threaten the lives of millions of americans for decades to come. " i understand the passions of the moment, but i would say to those senators, your words have meaning. millions of americans listen carefully to you. given comments like those, is it any surprise that people have been willing to do anything to make any physical threat against my family, to send any violent e—mail my wife, to send any violent e—mail my wife, to make any kind of allegation against me and against my friends, to blow me up and take me down? you sowed the wind for decades to come. i fear that the whole country will

reap the whirlwind. the behaviour of several of the democratic members of this committee in my hearing a few weeks ago was an embarrassment. but at least it was just a good old—fashioned attempt at working. those efforts did not work. when i did at least 0k enough at the hearings that it looked like i might actually get confirmed, a new tactic was needed. some of you were lying in wait and had it ready. this first allegation was held in secret for weeks by a democratic member of this committee and by staff. it would be needed only if you could not take me out on the merits. when it was needed, this allegation was unleashed and publicly deployed. 0ver dr ford's wishes. and then, and then, as no doubt was expected if not planned, came a long series of

false, last—minute smears designed to scare me and drive me out of the process. before any hearing occurred. crazy stuff. gangs, illegitimate children, fights on votes in rhode island, all nonsense reported breathlessly and often uncritically by the media. this has destroyed my family. and my good name. a good name built up through decades of very hard work and public service at the highest levels of the american government. this whole two—week effort has been a calculated and orchestrated political hits, fuelled with a fuelled anger about president trump and the 2016 election, fear that has been unfairly stoked about my judicial record, revenge on behalf

of the lanes and millions of dollars in money from outside, left—wing opposition groups. this is a circus. the consequences will extend long past my nomination. the consequences will be with us for decades. this grotesque and coordinated character assassination will dissuade confident and good people of all political persuasions from serving out political persuasions from serving our country, and as we all know, in the united states political system of the early 2000, what goes around, comes around. i am of the early 2000, what goes around, comes around. | am an of the early 2000, what goes around, comes around. i am an optimistic quy~ comes around. i am an optimistic guy. i always try to be on the sunrise side of the mountain. to be optimistic about the date that is coming. but today, i have to say that i fear for the future. last timel

that i fear for the future. last time i was here, i told this committee that a federaljudge must be independent, not swayed by public or political pressure. i said i was such a judge. and i am. or political pressure. i said i was such ajudge. and i am. i or political pressure. i said i was such a judge. and i am. i will not be intimidated into withdrawing from this process. you have tried hard, you've given it your all. no one can question your effort. but you're coordinated and well—funded effort destroy my name and destroyed my family will not drive me out. the vile threats of violence against my family will not drive the house. you may defeat me in the final vote, but you'll never get me to quit. never. i'm here today to tell the truth. i've never sexually assaulted anyone, not in high school, not in college, not ever. sexualassault

anyone, not in high school, not in college, not ever. sexual assault is horrific. 0ne college, not ever. sexual assault is horrific. one of my closest friends to this day is a woman who was sexually abused and who in the 19905, sexually abused and who in the 1990s, when we were in our 30s, confided in me about the abuse and sought my advice. i was one of the only people she consulted. allegations of sexual assault must always be ta ken allegations of sexual assault must always be taken seriously, always. those who make allegations always deserve to be heard. at the same time, the person who is the subject of the allegations also deserves to be heard. due process is a foundation of the american rule of law. due process means sending to both sides. —— means listening to both sides. —— means listening to both sides. —— means listening to both sides. as i told you my hearing three weeks ago, i'm the only child of martha and ed kavanaugh. they are

here today. when i was ten, my mum we nt here today. when i was ten, my mum went to law school and as a lawyer, she worked hard and overcame barriers, including the workplace sexual harassment and so many women faced at the time. and still face today. she became a trailblazer, one of maryland's earliest women prosecutors and trialjudges. she and my dad taught me the importance of equality and respect for all people and she inspired me to be a lawyer and a judge. last time i was here, i told you that my mum was a prosecutor and i was in high school. she used to practise her closing arguments at the dining room table oi'i arguments at the dining room table on my dad and me. as i told you, her trademark line was" use your common sense. what rings true. what rings false. " sense. what rings true. what rings false." her trademark line sense. what rings true. what rings false. " her trademark line is sense. what rings true. what rings false." hertrademark line is a sense. what rings true. what rings false." her trademark line is a good reminderas we sit

false." her trademark line is a good reminder as we sit here today, some 36 years after the alleged event occurred, when there is no corroboration, and indeed it is refuted by the people allegedly there, after i have been the public arena for 26 years, without even a and from a width of an allegation like this, and when my nomination to the supreme court wasjust like this, and when my nomination to the supreme court was just about to be voted on, at a time when i'm called evil by a democratic member of this committee, democratic opponents of my nomination say people will die if i am confirmed, this onslaught of last—minute allegations does not ring true. i'm not questioning that dr ford may have been sexually assaulted by some person in some place at some time. but i have never done this to her,

orto but i have never done this to her, or to anyone. that's not who i am. it is not who i was. i am innocent of this charge. i intend no ill will to dr ford and her family. the other night, ashley and my daughter sent their prayers, and little allies, all ten years old, said casually, we should pray the woman. —— said to ashley. a lot of wisdom from a ten—year—old. we mean no ill will. first, let's start with my career. for the last 26 years, since 1992, i

have served many high—profile insensitive government positions for which the fbi has investigated my background six separate times. six separate fbi background investigations over 26 years, all of them after the event alleged here. i have been in the public arena in under extreme public scrutiny for decades. in 1990 due to my work for the office of solicitor general and the office of solicitor general and the department of justice. the office of solicitor general and the department ofjustice. in 1993, i clerks on the supreme court for justice anthony kennedy. i spent four years at the independent counsels office during the 1990s. that office was the subject of enormous scrutiny from the media and the public. during 1998, the year of the public. during 1998, the year of the impeachment of president clinton, our office generally and i

personally or in the middle of an intense national media and political spotlight. i and other leading members of ken starr's office were opposition research from head to toe, from birth to the present day. recall the people who are exposed that year in 1998 of having... 0ne person on the left even paid $1 million for people to report evidence of sexual wrongdoing, and it works. the expose some prominent people. nothing about me. from two dozen 12 2006, i worked for president george w bush in the white house —— from 2001 to 2006. as staff secretary, i was by president bush's side for three years and was trusted with the nation's most sensitive secrets. i travelled on air force

0ne allover secrets. i travelled on air force 0ne all over the country and the world with president bush. i went ever with him. from texas to pakistan, from alaska to australia, from buckingham palace to the vatican. 3—wood years in the west wing, five and half years in the white house —— three years in the we st white house —— three years in the west wing. i was then nominated to bea west wing. i was then nominated to be a judge in the dc circuit. i was thoroughly vetted by the white house and the fbi and the american bar association and this committee. i sat before this committee for two thorough confirmation hearings in 2004 and 2006. for the past 12 years, leading up to my nomination for this job, years, leading up to my nomination for thisjob, i've served years, leading up to my nomination forthisjob, i've served in years, leading up to my nomination for thisjob, i've served in a very public arena as a federaljudge on what is often referred to as the second most important work in the country. i've handled some of the most significant and sensitive cases affecting the lives and liberties of the american people. i have been a

good judge. and for this nomination, another fbi background investigation, another american bar association investigation, 31 hours of hearings, 65 senator meetings, 12 1200 written questions. more than all other supreme court nominees combined. throughout that entire time, throughout much of future years and seven months on this earth into last week, no one ever accused me ofany into last week, no one ever accused me of any kind of sexual misconduct. no one ever. a lifetime of public service in a lifetime of high—profile public service at the highest levels of american government, and never a highest levels of american government, and nevera hint highest levels of american government, and never a hint of anything of this kind. and that's because nothing of this kind ever happened. second, let's turn to

specifics. i categorically and uncritically deny the allegation against me by doctor ford. i never had any sexual or physical encounter of any kind with dr ford. i never intended a gathering like the one dr ford describes in her allegation —— i never attended a gathering. i never sexually assaulted dr ford or anyone. again, i am never sexually assaulted dr ford or anyone. again, lam 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. doctor ford's allegation stems from a party she alleges occurred during the summerof a party she alleges occurred during the summer of 1982. 36 years ago. i was 17 years old between myjunior and senior years of high school at

georgetown prep, a rigorous all boys catholic jesuit georgetown prep, a rigorous all boys catholicjesuit high georgetown prep, a rigorous all boys catholic jesuit high school georgetown prep, a rigorous all boys catholicjesuit high school in rockville, maryland. when my friends andl rockville, maryland. when my friends and i spent time together a parties on weekends, it was usually with friends from nearby catholic all—girls high schools, stoneridge, holy child, visitation, immaculata, holy child, visitation, immaculata, holy cross. doctor ford did not attend one of those schools. she attended a private school. she was a year behind me. she and i did not travel in the same social circles. it is possible that we met at some point at some events, although i do not recall that. to repeat, all of the people identified by dr ford as being present at the party have said they do not remember any such party ever happening. importantly, her friend has not only denied knowledge

of the party, she said under penalty of the party, she said under penalty of perjury, she does not know me and does not recall ever being a party with me ever. in my two male friends who were allegedly there, who knew me well, have told this committee under penalty of felony that they do not recall any such party and that i never did or would do anything like this. doctor ford's allegation is not merely uncorroborated, it is refuted by the very people she says we re refuted by the very people she says were there, including by a long—time friend of hers. refuted. third, dr ford has said that this event took place in a house near the country club on the corner of east we st country club on the corner of east west highway in chevy chase, maryland. in her letter to senator

feinstein, she said that there were four other people at the house. but none of those people, nor i live near columbia country club. as of the summerof near columbia country club. as of the summer of 1982, dr ford was 15 and could not drive yet. she did not live near columbia country club. she says confidently that she had one beer at the party, but she does not say how she got to the house in question or how she got home, or whose house it was. fourth, i have submitted to this committee detailed calendars recording my activities in the summerof calendars recording my activities in the summer of 1982. why did i calendars recording my activities in the summer of1982. why did i keep calendars? my dad started to keep detailed calendars of his life in 1978. he did so as both a calendar and a

diary. a very organised guy, to put it mildly. christmas time, we would sit around and tell stories. old milestones, old weddings, old events from his calendars. in ninth grade... in ninth grade in 1980, i started keeping calendars of my own. for me

also, it is both a calendar and a diary. i have kept such calendars and diaries for the last 38 years. mine are not as good as my dad's. and when i was a kid, the calendars are about what you would expect from are about what you would expect from a kid. some goofy parts, some embarrassing parts. but i did have a summerof embarrassing parts. but i did have a summer of 1982 documented pretty well. the event described by dr ford presumably happened on a weekend, because i believe everyone worked and had jobs in the summers. and in any event, a drunken early evening event of the kind she describes resumable it happened on a weekend. if it was a weekend, my calendars show that i was out of town almost every weekend night before football training camp started in late august. the only weekend nights that

i was august. the only weekend nights that iwas in august. the only weekend nights that i was in dc were friday, june four, when i was with my dad at a pro golf tournament. and had my high school achievement tests at 8:30am the next morning. i also was in dc on saturday night, august seven, i was ata saturday night, august seven, i was at a small gathering at becky's house in rockville with matt, denise, lori and jenni. house in rockville with matt, denise, lori andjenni. their house in rockville with matt, denise, lori and jenni. their names are all listed on my calendar. i will not use their last names here. and then, on the weekend of august 20-22, i and then, on the weekend of august 20—22, i was staying at the carrots with pat and chris as we did final preparations for football training camp that began on sunday august 20 two. as the calendars confirmed, the

weekend before a brutal football training camp started was no time for parties. so let me emphasise this point. if the party described by dr ford happened in the summer of 1982 on a weekend night, my calendar shows all but definitively that i was not there. during the weekdays in the summerof1982, was not there. during the weekdays in the summer of 1982, as you can see, i was out of town for two weeks in the summerfora see, i was out of town for two weeks in the summer for a trip to the beach with friends, and at the legendary 5—star basketball camp in pennsylvania. when i was in town, i spent much of my time working, working out, lifting weights, playing basketball, or hanging out and having some beers with friends

as we talked about life and football, and school, and girls. some have noticed that i did not have church on sundays on my calendars. i also did not list brushing my teeth. and for me, going to church on sundays was like brushing my teeth, automatic, and still is. in the summer of 1981, i had worked construction. in the summerof1982, my had worked construction. in the summer of 1982, my job was had worked construction. in the summer of 1982, myjob was cutting lawns. i had my own business of sorts. you see, some specifics about long cutting on the august page, when i had time... various long before football training camp. i played in a lot of summer league basketball games for the georgetown prep team at night. many nights i worked out with other guys at

tobin's house. he was the great quarterback on our football team. his dad ran a work—out —— ran workouts. 0r lifted weights at georgetown prep in preparation for the football season. i attended and watched many sporting events, as is my habit to this day. the calendars show a few weekday gathering at friends houses after a work—out, or just to meet up and have some beers. but none of those gatherings included the group of people that dr ford has identified. and as my calendars show, i was very precise about listing who was there. very precise. keep in mind, my calendars we re precise. keep in mind, my calendars were also diaries of sorts, forward and backward looking, just like my

dad's. you can see for example that i crossed out missed workouts, and the cancelled doctors appointments, andl the cancelled doctors appointments, and i listed the precise people who had shown up for certain events. the calendars are obviously not dispositive on their own, but they are another piece of evidence in the mix for you to consider. fifth, dr ford's allegation is radically inconsistent with my re cord radically inconsistent with my record and character, from my youth to the present day. as students at an all boys catholicjesuit school, many of us became friends and remain friends to this day. with students at local catholic pols —— all girl schools. 0ne

at local catholic pols —— all girl schools. one feature of my life that has remained true to the present day was that i have always had a lot of close female friends. i'm not talking about girlfriends, i'm talking about girlfriends, i'm talking about girlfriends, i'm talking about friends who are women. that started in high school, maybe it's because i had no sisters as an only child, but we had no social media vortex or e—mails, and we talked on the phone. i remember talking almost every night to my friends amy orjulie. 0r kristen or karen, or suzanne, or mara, or megan, or nikki. the list goes on, friends for a lifetime built on a foundation of talking through school and life, starting at age 14. several of those great women are in

the seats right behind me today. my friends and i sometimes got together and had parties on weekends. the drinking age was 18 in maryland for most of my time in high school, and was 18 in dc for all my time in high school. i drank beer with my friends, almost everyone did. sometimes i had too many beers, sometimes others did. i liked beer. i still like beer. but i did not drink beerto i still like beer. but i did not drink beer to the point of blocking out, andl drink beer to the point of blocking out, and i never sexually assaulted anyone. there is a bright line between drinking beer, which i gladly do, and which i fully embrace, and sexually assaulting someone, which is a violent crime. if every american who drinks beer, or every american who drank beer in high school is suddenly presumed guilty of sexual assault, will be an

ugly new place in this country. i never committed sexual assault. as high school students, we sometimes did goofy or stupid things. i doubt we are alone in looking back at high school and cringing at some things. for one thing, our yearbook was a disaster. i think some editors and students wanted the yearbook to be some combination of animal house, caddy shack, and fast times at ridgemont high, which were all re ce nt ridgemont high, which were all recent movies at that time. many of us recent movies at that time. many of us went along in the yearbook to the point absurdity. his past week... my friends and i have cringed... when we read about and talk to each

other. —— about it. 0ne one thing in particular we are sad about... 0ne one of our good free male friends whom we admired and what did dances with had her name in... the name was intended to show affection to show she was one of us. but in the circus, the media's interpretation

of the term as relating to sex. she andl of the term as relating to sex. she and i never had any sexual relation at all. sorry to her for that yearbook reference will. this may sound a bit trivial, given all that we are here for, but one thing i wa nt we are here for, but one thing i want to try to make sure of in the future as my friendship with her. she was and is a great person. as to sex, this is not a topic i ever imagined would come up in a judicial confirmation hearing, but i want to give you a full picture of who i was. i never had sexual intercourse or anything close to it are in high school or for many years after that.

in some crowds, i was probably a little outwardly shy about my inexperience. i tried the hideout, at the same time i was also inwardly proud of it. —— hide that. for me and the girls i was friends with, that lack of major or rampant sexual activity in high school was a matter of faith and respect, and caution. the committee has a letter from 65 women who knew me in high school. they said that i always treated them with dignity and respect. that letter came together in one night, 35 years after graduation, all sexual assault allegation was pending against me in a very fraught

and public situations where the —— they knew they would be vilified. if they knew they would be vilified. if they defended me. think about that. they put themselves on the line for me. those are some awesome women, andl me. those are some awesome women, and i love all of them. you also have a letter from women who knew me in college, most were varsity athletes. they described the i treated them as friends and equals, and supported them in their sports ata time and supported them in their sports at a time when women's sports was emerging in the wake of title ix. i think all of them for all their tax and e—mails and support. —— tex. 0ne

of those women friends from college, a self—described liberal and feminist sent me a text last night saying" deep breaths, you're a good man, a good man, a good man". and a text yesterday from another one of those women from college said, "brett, be strong, pulling for you to my core. " a third text from yet another one of those women i was friends with from college said, "i am holding you in the light of god". asl am holding you in the light of god". as i said in my opening statement the last time i was with you, cherish your friends, look out for your friends, lift up your friends, love your friends. i have felt that

love your friends. i have felt that love more over the last two weeks thanl love more over the last two weeks than i ever have in my life. i think all of my friends, i love all my friends. —— thank all my friends. throughout my life, i have devoted huge efforts to encouraging and promoting the careers of women. i will put my record up against anyone's, male or female. will put my record up against anyone's, male orfemale. i will put my record up against anyone's, male orfemale. lam proud of the letter from 84 women, 84 women who work with me at the bush white house from 2001—2006, and described me as "a man of the highest integrity". read the op—ed from sarah day from yarmouth maine. she worked at the oval office operations outside of president bush's office. here's she previously said. and today she stands by her

comments. "brett was an advocate for the yard wouldn't like with this young woman like me. in fact during the 2004 republican national convention, brett gave me the opportunity to help with the preparation review of the present's remarks, something i never... something i never would have had the chance to do if he had not included me. and he did notjust include me in the work, he made sure i was at madison square garden to watch the present's speech. instead of watching it at the hotel on the tv. " asa watching it at the hotel on the tv. " as a judge since 2006, i have had the privilege of hiring for recent law school graduates to serve as my wall clerks —— a law clerk each

year. the colours for federaljudges are the best and brightest graduates of american law schools —— clerks. they work for one—year terms for judges after law school, and then they move on in their careers. for judges, training these young lawyers is an important responsibility. the clerks will become the next generation of american lawyers and leaders. judges and senators. just after i took the bench in 2006, there was a major new york times story about the low numbers of women law clerks on the supreme court and federal appeals courts. i took notice and took action. a majority of my 48 law clerks over the last 12 years have been women. in a letter to this committee, my women law clerk said i was one of the strongest advocates to the federal

judiciary from women lawyers. and they wrote that the legal profession is fairerand more they wrote that the legal profession is fairer and more equal because of me. in my time on the bench, no federal judge, me. in my time on the bench, no federaljudge, not a single one in the country, has sent more women law clerks de klerk on the supreme court thenl clerks de klerk on the supreme court then i have. before this allegation arose two weeks ago, i was required to start making certain administrative preparations for my possible transfer to the supreme court, just in case i was confirmed. as part of that, i had to in essence , as part of that, i had to in essence, contingently hire a first group of formal law clerks who could be available to clerk at the supreme court for me on a moment's notice. i did so and contingently hired for law clerks. all four are women. if

confirmed, i will be the first justice in the history of the supreme court to have a group of all women law clerks. that is who i am, thatis women law clerks. that is who i am, that is who i was. 0ver women law clerks. that is who i am, that is who i was. over the past 12 years, i have taught constitutional law to hundreds of students, primarily at harvard law school, where i was hired by then dean and nowjustice elina where i was hired by then dean and now justice elina kagan. where i was hired by then dean and nowjustice elina kagan. 0ne where i was hired by then dean and nowjustice elina kagan. one of my women students, a democrat, testified to this committee that i was an evenhanded professor who treats people fairly and with respect. in a letter to this committee, my former students, male and female alike, wrote that i displayed a character that impressed us all. i love teaching law, but thanks to what some of you on this side of the committee have

unleashed, i may never be able to teach again. for the past seven years, i have coached my two daughters's basketball teams. you saw many of those girls when they came to my hearing for a couple of hours. you have a letter from the parents of the girls i coach that describe my dedication, commitment, and character. i coach because i know that the girl's confidence on the court translates into other aspects of life. i love coaching more than anything i've ever done in my whole life. but thanks to what some of you on this side of the committee have unleashed, i may never be able to coach again. i have beena never be able to coach again. i have been a judge for 12 years. i have a

long record of service to america and to the constitution. i revere the constitution. i am deeply grateful to president trump for nominating me. he was so gracious to my family and me on the july night he announced my nomination to the white house. ithank he announced my nomination to the white house. i thank him for his steadfast support. when i accepted the present's nomination, ashley and i knew this process would be challenging. we never expected that it would devolve into this. explaining this to our daughters has been about the worst experience of our lives. ashley has been a rock, andl our lives. ashley has been a rock, and i thank god every day for ashley. and for my family. we live

ina ashley. and for my family. we live in a country devoted to due process and the rule of law. that means taking allegation seriously. but if the mere allegation, the mere assertion of an allegation, a refuted allegation from 36 years ago is enough to destroy a person's life and career, we will have abandoned the basic principles of fairness and due process that defined our legal system, and our country. i ask you tojudge me by the standard that you would want applied to your father. your husband, your brother, or your son. my family and i intend no ill

will towards dr ford or her family. but i swear today under oath, before the senate and the nation, before my family and god, i am the senate and the nation, before my family and god, lam innocent the senate and the nation, before my family and god, i am innocent of this charge. thank you, judge kavanaugh. this charge. thank you, judge kava naugh. before we this charge. thank you, judge kavanaugh. before we start questions, i will not repeat what i said this morning, but we will do with the same way as we did for dr ford, and five—minute rounds. so we will start with miss mitchell. good afternoon, judge kavanaugh. we have not met, my name is rachel mitchell. i would like to go over a couple of guidelines for our question and

a nswer guidelines for our question and answer session today. if i ask a question... i'm ready. 0k. answer session today. if i ask a question... i'm ready. ok. if answer session today. if i ask a question... i'm ready. 0k. ifi ask a question that you do not understand, please ask me to clarify it or ask it in a different way. i may ask a question where i incorporate some information you have already provided. if i get it wrong, please correct me. i will not ask you to guess. if you estimate, please let me know your estimating. and i want to make sure that all the committee members have gotten a copy of the definition of sexual behaviour. at least i have one. 0k. and you have that, as well, judge kavanaugh? yes. 0k. first of all, have you been given or reviewed a copy of the questions that i will be asking you? no. has anyone told you the questions i will be asking you?

no. i want you to take a moment to review the definition that is before you of sexual behaviour. have you had a chance to review it? i have, they may refer to it back, ifi i have, they may refer to it back, if i can. i have, they may refer to it back, ifi can. yes, i have, they may refer to it back, if i can. yes, please. i i have, they may refer to it back, ifi can. yes, please. i would like to point out to specific parts. among the examples of sexual behaviour, it includes grubbing or grinding your genitals against somebody, closed or unclothed. and i

would point out that the definition applies whether or not the act were socially motivated, or horseplay. you understand the definition i've given you? i do. again, if you need to review that at any time, please let me know. dr ford has stated that somewhere between 5—6 people were present at the gathering on the state. you, markjudge, leland kaiser, patrick b smith, dr ford and another name boy —— an unnamed boy. do you know markjudge?” another name boy —— an unnamed boy. do you know markjudge? i do. how do you know him? he was a friend at georgetown prep starting in ninth grade. he's a... someone in our

group of friends, a very friendly group of friends, a very friendly group in class. you have seen the letter that was sent by friends at georgetown prep. funny guy, great writer. popular, developed a serious addiction problem that lasted decades. near—death a couple of times from his addiction. suffered tremendously. what is your relationship with him like now?|j would relationship with him like now?” would talk to him in a couple of years, we've probably been on mass e—mails, group e—mails that go around my high school friends. and how did you know patrick smith? also ninth—grade. georgetown prep. went

by pj then. he and i live close to one another. played football together, he was defensive tackle, i was quarterback, wide receiver. we carpooled to school, along with davis every year, every year the three of us for two years. i did not have a car, so one of the two of them would drive everyday. they would pick me up... what is your relationship with him like now? he the area, i see him once in a while, i have not seen him this thing. do you know leland kaiser?” i have not seen him this thing. do you know leland kaiser? i know of her, and it is possible i met her in high school at some point. i know