Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner did not say Friday afternoon whether he still plans to vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court.
A spokesman for the Republican senator said in an email to The Denver Post that Gardner was not expected to comment on Kavanaugh’s appointment until next week.
Gardner, a Republican, previously said he had planned to vote for President Donald Trump’s second pick for the nation’s highest court. But like many Senate Republicans, Gardner said recent sexual harassment allegations needed to be investigated.
Kavanaugh’s confirmation — once considered a sure thing — reached a fevered pitch Thursday after both he and Christine Blasey Ford, who accused him of sexual assault, testified during a marathon Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Both insisted they were “100 percent” certain about what did — or did not — happen in 1982 when they were both in high school.
On Friday, the Judiciary Committee, which Gardner does not sit on, voted along party lines to advance Kavanuaugh’s confirmation.
However, Sen. Jeff Flake, an Arizona Republican on the committee who is not seeking re-election, said he’d only consider approving Kavanaugh’s nomination on the Senate floor if a limited FBI investigation into the existing allegations against Kavanaugh could be completed. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, joined Flake in calling for a delay in a full floor vote.
Gardner, who is expected to run for re-election 2020, was named who said senators from swing states “will feel intense heat for next two years” if they vote for Kavanaugh.
If Senate GOP ignores Dr. Blasey Ford and tries to muscle an attempted rapist onto the Supreme Court:
1. They will pay dearly this November.
2. Senators up in 2020 (Collins, Gardner et al) will feel intense heat for next two years.
3. Kavanaugh will not serve for life.— Brian Fallon (@brianefallon)
For a second time this week, Gardner’s office Friday to demand he vote against Kavanaugh.
Are you listening ? VOTE NO.
— Pinky (@pinklaura)
This isn’t the first time Gardner has been seen as a crucial vote for a Trump appointee. Early in Trump’s administration, Gardner was pressured to not confirm Betsy DeVos to lead the U.S. Department of Education. Gardner wavered for days and ultimately voted for DeVos.
Colorado’s senior senator, Democrat Michael Bennet, has previously said he plans to vote against Kavanaugh’s nomination.