DeLauro Comments on Judge Kavanaugh’s Nomination, Prof. Ford’s Testimony 27 Years After Judge Thomas’s Nomination, Prof. Hill’s Testimony

WASHINGTON, DC (September 28, 2018) - Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today delivered a speech on the House Floor condemning the Senate's decision to proceed with confirming Judge Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court without a thorough FBI investigation into the sexual misconduct allegations against him.

Congresswoman DeLauro delivered the same speech in 1991 in opposition to the Senate's decision to vote on Judge Clarence Thomas's appointment to the Supreme Court after Anita Hill's credible sexual harassment allegations were ignored. Unfortunately, the only differences in the speeches were that Clarence Thomas's name was substituted for Brett Kavanaugh's and Anita Hill's for Christine Blasey Ford's. Republicans attempted to censure Congresswoman DeLauro in 1991 for her remarks.

Here are the video links of her remarks from 1991 and 2018.

Full text of DeLauro's remarks as prepared for delivery today are below:

"Mr. Speaker, the Senate is about to embark on a misguided journey. How can there be a vote to place Judge Kavanaugh in a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court under this cloud? To be sure, a person is innocent until proven guilty, but without a full and public hearing about the veracity of these very serious charges of sexual harassment, a decision this evening to elevate Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court casts doubt on the entire process.

Mr. Speaker, allegations of sexual harassment are serious charges which deserve serious consideration. The Justices of the Supreme Court must demonstrate respect for law and for individual rights. To impugn the integrity of Professor Christine Blasey Ford, to elevate that of Judge Kavanaugh, is not appropriate nor is it a credible tactic. The American people deserve more than a dismissal of Professor Ford's charges. They deserve to know the truth.

Mr. Speaker, let us take the time to uncover the truth.

The speech I just gave is the exact speech I gave on October 8th, 1991. The only differences were the substitution of Clarence Thomas's name for Brett Kavanaugh's and Anita Hill's for Christine Blasey Ford's. Republicans attempted to censure me for this speech.

History is repeating itself before our eyes, and women are once again being ignored instead of believed. We must be better than this."