Blackburn: Kavanaugh accuser should be heard, but no votes delayed

Despite U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh facing allegations of sexual misconduct dating back decades, U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn thinks a key Senate committee should continue with its scheduled confirmation vote. 

Blackburn and former Gov. Phil Bredesen, the Republican and Democratic candidates vying for a U.S. Senate seat, respectively, said Monday that Christine Blasey Ford — the woman accusing Kavanaugh of assaulting her when they were in high school — should be heard. 

A confirmation vote planned for Thursday was delayed Monday so the Senate Judiciary Committee could hold a follow-up hearing with Ford and Kavanaugh next week.

Prior to that announcement, Blackburn said Ford's testimony needs to happen before Thursday. 

"I think for her, she should be heard. She should come in before the vote on Thursday. I do think that whatever she has to say, she should say under oath, I mean it's been 30-something years," Blackburn told the USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee after appearing before The Tennessean's Editorial Board. 

Blackburn said she would prefer the judiciary committee stick with its plan to vote on Kavanaugh on Thursday. 

"I think that she has from now until Thursday," the congressman said. "And then you call the vote as scheduled." 

The new hearing with Ford and Kavanaugh is set for next Monday.

Blackburn's comments fall short of what she reportedly told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, who said Monday that the congressman referred to the allegations as a "delay tactic."

"I think this is a delay tactic and (Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley) should proceed with the vote...I don't think the vote should be delayed," Blackburn said, according to Hewitt. 

Blackburn did not express a similar sentiment to the USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee. 

Even after the allegations against Kavanaugh emerged, Blackburn said her support for the nominee has not changed. 

"I think Judge Kavanaugh is eminently qualified," she said. "I do believe he is going to be confirmed."

On Monday, Bredesen posted on social media that lawmakers should listen to Ford. 

"Dr. Christine Blasey Ford should be heard. If U.S Senators are not going to give a careful and thorough consideration of Supreme Court nominees, then I don't know what they think their job is," Bredesen tweeted. 

Although Bredesen did not expressly call for the Senate to delay any confirmation hearings or votes, his campaign said a thorough consideration of the issue could not come before Thursday. 

On Sunday, U.S. Sen. Bob Corker — who Bredesen and Blackburn are hoping to replace — said the Senate Judiciary Committee should hold off on voting on Kavanaugh until after hearing from Ford. 

"I think that would be best for all involved, including the nominee," Corker told Politico. "If she does want to be heard, she should do so promptly."

In a statement Monday, Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, said the committee should "carefully consider Dr. Ford's allegation and Judge Kavanaugh's response," before alleging that Democrats in the Senate may have known about the allegation prior to Kavanaugh's hearing, which he described as "troubling."

Reach Joel Ebert at jebert@tennessean.com or 615-772-1681 and on Twitter @joelebert29.