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New York Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand took President Donald Trump, the Trump administration, her Republican colleagues and Brett Kavanaugh to task Thursday during an address at the Capital. She was joined by Hawaii Democratic Senator Mazie Hirono and a group of alumnae from Holton-Arms High School, the alma mater of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford.
Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee—led by Chuck Grassley of Iowa—continued to demand Ford testify before them on Monday. However Gillibrand stated that basic procedure demands otherwise.
Gillibrand stated:
"She’s not asking for extraordinary measures, she’s asking for basic fairness."
Watch an excerpt from the Senator's address during the press conference here.
With other female senators decrying Republican "bullying" of Kavanaugh accuser, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand says Republ… https://t.co/p6e0NFpAwj— ABC News (@ABC News) 1537477437.0
Gillibrand referred to the Senate confirmation hearing for Justice Clarence Thomas. She stated Ford asked for no more than what was afforded Dr. Anita Hill when she testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in 1991.
Gillibrand also suggested things should be better than 27 years ago, not worse. A full background check—a requirement for every Supreme Court nominee—was completed on Thomas, including the allegations made by Hill.
However the White House and GOP blocked efforts to conduct the same investigation Thomas submitted to when asked to do it on Kavanaugh. Gillibrand stated:
"Who is not asking the FBI to investigate these claims? The White House. Judge Kavanaugh has not asked to have the FBI to review these claims. Is that the reaction of an innocent person? It is not. We have to get to the bottom of this."
Multiple outlets posted different excerpts from Gillibrand's address. The Senator herself shared an excerpt captured by CBSN.
I believe Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. She’s not asking for extraordinary measures; she’s asking for basic fairness.… https://t.co/05evoDv3wN— Kirsten Gillibrand (@Kirsten Gillibrand) 1537470892.0
Gillibrand was not alone in calling out Senator Grassley and the GOP. Senator Hirono also had strong words for her colleague.
Mazie Hirono tells ABC that Chuck Grassley's claim that Republicans have done everything they can to contact Dr. Fo… https://t.co/NShpLRvtg0— Kyle Griffin (@Kyle Griffin) 1537453813.0
Today, @SenGillibrand and I accepted a letter signed by over 1,000 alumnae of @HoltonArms in support of and in soli… https://t.co/crL6PM0zXb— Senator Mazie Hirono (@Senator Mazie Hirono) 1537473280.0
Reactions to Gillibrand's impassioned plea were mixed on Twitter:
Some people felt the allegations should not be addressed since it happened years ago.
@ABC What happened to the rule of law in America? What happened with innocent until proven guilty? What happened to… https://t.co/4jktEqbPx1— William McKnight (@William McKnight) 1537479228.0
@ABC She should have said something when it happened ..really !! now your gonna say speak out— Eve Dori (@Eve Dori) 1537478937.0
@ABC 36 years ago & no mention before Supreme court confirmation hearings? The therapist could have back dated the… https://t.co/oLxkrvsLV9— Time=Best Stock (@Time=Best Stock) 1537478937.0
However others echoed the questions Gillibrand raised.
@SenGillibrand @FLWildcat She's only asking for DUE PROCESS!!!!!!!!!!!!— Sandy (@Sandy) 1537483871.0
@ABC Republicans war on women is real— jumpy231 🏈 🎅🎄☃️❄ (@jumpy231 🏈 🎅🎄☃️❄) 1537479248.0
@SenGillibrand @G8trz4ever Men in their 50's and 60's claimed that they were sexually assaulted as children by thei… https://t.co/mMQXbP98Wn— Kathlene Russell 🍑! NOW (@Kathlene Russell 🍑! NOW) 1537476711.0
@ABC What are they afraid of????????— renee strandloff (@renee strandloff) 1537479668.0
@SenGillibrand @wally_polischuk I am 66 years old. I have a story similar to this. I never told anyone about it unt… https://t.co/twCi0eZCwk— Care Package (@Care Package) 1537483155.0
@EllenOkie @SenGillibrand @wally_polischuk I'm glad you finally told your story. I'm 53 and the first person I told… https://t.co/1dfNk7qFHT— Tina Boll (@Tina Boll) 1537484187.0
Watch Senator Gillibrand's full address here.