United States Supreme Court Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Manchin Supports FBI Investigation into Sexual Assault Allegations Against Kavanaugh

Updated: September 28, 2018 at 5:59 p.m.

Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court has passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on a party-line vote.U.S. Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia — a key and as-of-yet-undecided vote in the Kavanaugh confirmation process — says he supports a GOP Senator’s call for an FBI investigation of allegations of sexual assault waged against the Supreme Court nominee.

Manchin’s support of an investigation into allegations against Kavanaugh came moments before Senate Republicans agreed to delay a vote on the nomination until the investigation is completed.

As of Friday afternoon, national news outlets were reporting that five Senators were undecided or had been unclear on how they would vote for Kavanaugh. Sen. Manchin, who is up for reelection in November, is one of those five.

Hearings held by the Senate Judiciary Committee over the past two days have focused on Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her while they were in high school. Other women have also come forward with similar allegations. Kavanaugh denies having ever committed any form of sexual misconduct.

In a statement issued Friday afternoon, Manchin called Kavanaugh’s confirmation process “partisan and divisive.” Manchin said he supports Arizona Republican Sen. Jeff Flake’s call for a week-long FBI investigation — but he stopped short of announcing whether he would vote for the embattled nominee.

“The American people have been pulled apart by this entire spectacle and we need to take time to address these claims independently, so that our country can have confidence in the outcome of this vote. It is what is right and fair for Dr. Ford, Judge Kavanaugh, and the American people,” Manchin said.

Senate Republicans have agreed to delay a vote on Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court in order to conduct an FBI investigation next week into allegations of sexual assault brought against the nominee. President Donald Trump has ordered a limited investigation as part of Kavanaugh’s background check to be completed by this time next week.

President Trump is scheduled to visit West Virginia Saturday to campaign for Manchin’s opponent in the midterms — Republican state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey.

Supreme Court Won't Take Up Case of Ex-Massey Energy CEO

The Supreme Court is leaving in place the conviction of ex-Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship for misdemeanor conspiracy to violate federal safety standards at a West Virginia mine where 29 miners died in 2010.

The court declined Tuesday to take up Blankenship’s case. Blankenship, who recently finished a one-year prison term, had asked the court to review his conviction, which a federal appeals court upheld in January.

Blankenship had said he’s “more than 100 percent innocent” and the case was colored by emotion and publicity. He says natural gas caused the explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine, and the trial judge erred in instructing the jury and limiting cross-examination.

Four investigations found worn and broken cutting equipment created a spark that ignited accumulations of coal dust and methane gas.

Manchin to Meet With Obama's Supreme Court Nominee

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin will meet with President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominee.

The Democrat scheduled the meeting Tuesday at his Senate office in Washington.

Obama nominated Merrick Garland to fill the vacancy left by conservative Justice Antonin Scalia’s death.

Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says the Senate won’t consider a nominee until the new president picks someone. Manchin wants a vote but hasn’t taken a stance on Garland.

On the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Garland has often sided with Environmental Protection Agency regulations. He’s also voted to review a decision that had struck down restrictions on gun rights in the District of Columbia.

The conservative Judicial Crisis Network has targeted Manchin in TV ads. They say Garland threatens coal and gun rights.