Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., is ready to vote on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, saying Thursday the FBI's investigation into multiple allegations of sexual misconduct leveled against the judge has left him more "confident" than ever in President Trump's pick for the court.
"I was looking for certain things to be answered by witnesses," Graham told reporters on Capitol Hill, referring to the FBI's supplemental background probe that was made available to senators on Thursday. "I'm more confident than ever that what the committee found has held up and then some."
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Graham, who told CBS News' "60 Minutes" in an interview that aired Sunday he had already "made up" his mind about Kavanaugh prior to the FBI concluding its probe, told critics to ask the bureau if their agents were able "to do their job without interference." The limited scope of the inquiry, directed by the White House, was scrutinized by Democrats.
The FBI was asked to re-open its background investigation into Kavanaugh by the Trump administration after Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and others signaled they would be uncomfortable supporting the judge's confirmation without an additional probe into credible accusations disclosed to the Senate Judiciary Committee as it considered Kavanaugh's nomination.
Graham's comments follow Democrats on the panel raising the possibility Wednesday that previous FBI background inquiries into Kavanaugh mentioned either inappropriate sexual behavior or alcohol abuse.
"To those who suggest he had a problem like this from prior interviews, no evidence of that. That's all manufactured," Graham said. "The senators who requested the supplemental FBI background check got what they requested, and I am ready to vote."