WASHINGTON, September 28, 2018 — American Bar Association President Bob Carlson sent a letter Thursday night to leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee, urging the committee to conduct its confirmation vote on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh only after the FBI has conducted an investigation into misconduct allegations against the nominee. Read the full text of the letter here.

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Dear Chairman Grassley and Ranking Member Feinstein:

The American Bar Association urges the United States Senate Judiciary Committee (and, as appropriate, the full Senate) to conduct a confirmation vote on Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States only after an appropriate background check into the allegations made by Professor Ford and others is completed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

We make this request because of the ABA’s respect for the rule of law and due process under law. The basic principles that underscore the Senate’s constitutional duty of advice and consent on federal judicial nominees require nothing less than a careful examination of the accusations and facts by the FBI.

Each appointment to our nation’s Highest Court (as with all others) is simply too important to rush to a vote. Deciding to proceed without conducting additional investigation would not only have a lasting impact on the Senate’s reputation, but it will also negatively affect the great trust necessary for the American people to have in the Supreme Court. It must remain an institution that will reliably follow the law and not politics.

Respectfully, the Senate should recognize that a thorough FBI investigation will demonstrate its commitment to a Supreme Court that is above reproach.

Thank you for your consideration of this critically important matter.

Sincerely,
Robert M. Carlson