Austin American-Statesman: 3 Texas Democrats call for U.S. House investigation into Kavanaugh

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh won his bitter confirmation battle, but some Democrats in Congress, and others hoping to join their ranks, still want a thorough investigation into sexual misconduct and perjury allegations leveled against him.

The American-Statesman asked all Democratic members of Congress from Texas who are on the November ballot, and others in the state running in tight races to join them, if they would call for or support another investigation into the allegations.

Those saying they support investigations: Veronica Escobar, the former El Paso County judge running to replace Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke; state Sen. Sylvia Garcia of Houston, running to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Gene Green, D-Houston; and U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Austin.

No other Democrats responded.

Doggett said he was troubled by the scope of the supplemental FBI investigation of Kavanaugh.

"Trump's mocking of a sexual assault victim and declaring those with similar allegations to be a ‘hoax' is appalling. Since he and his Republican enablers in Congress have continually disparaged the work of FBI law enforcement professionals, I support an investigation into how Trump constrained the Kavanaugh investigation," Doggett said in a statement. "This includes apparent limitations imposed on who the FBI could interview, what leads to pursue, and which allegations to investigate. We should seek the truth so that all Americans, especially victims and survivors of abuse, know that their lives and voices matter."

Garcia said news reports gave her little confidence in the FBI investigation.

"I agree with (Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi) that the details of the FBI investigation need to be made available to lawmakers and the general public so we can determine if an additional investigation is needed," Garcia said in a statement. "If additional action is needed it seems that a House investigation may be the last resort to ensure that we protect the integrity of the United States Supreme Court."

U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, a Democrat from New York who stands to be the next chairman of the Judiciary Committee if his party wins control of the House next month, said before Kavanaugh's confirmation that his colleagues would investigate the allegations if they're returned to power.

"It is not something we are eager to do," Nadler said. "But the Senate having failed to do its proper constitutionally mandated job of advise and consent, we are going to have to do something to provide a check and balance, to protect the rule of law and to protect the legitimacy of one of our most important institutions."

FBI Director Christopher Wray told Congress Wednesday that the FBI background investigation into sexual assault allegations involving Brett Kavanaugh before he was confirmed to the high court was handled in a way "consistent" with other such probes.

"My folks have assured me that the usual process was followed," Wray testified to the Senate Homeland Security Committee in response to questions by Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., about the White House's involvement in the process.

Wray declined to address whether the FBI investigated accusations that Kavanaugh lied during his Senate confirmation hearings, as Democrats have alleged.

When Harris pressed Wray as to why the FBI did not interview Kavanaugh, his chief accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, or 40 other potential witnesses, the FBI director said the investigation was "very specific in scope, limited in scope, and that is the usual process."

Additional reporting from The New York Times and Los Angeles Times.