Senate Democrats threaten to sue for info
on Supreme Court nominee
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[August 17, 2018]
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats in
the U.S. Senate said on Thursday they were prepared to sue the National
Archives if it does not honor their request for information on Supreme
Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
The threat ratcheted up the Democrats' fight with Republicans over
documents on the conservative federal judge nominated by President
Donald Trump. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer told reporters he
plans to meet with Kavanaugh next week.
Democrats are seeking documents from Kavanaugh’s service while working
in the White House under Republican former President George W. Bush.
Last week, several Democratic senators filed requests under the U.S.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to try and compel the government to
release the records.
"Today we are announcing that we stand ready to sue the National
Archives for Judge Kavanaugh's full records if necessary, if the FOIA
request isn't granted," Schumer told reporters in the Capitol. "The
American people deserve a methodical and thorough examination of a
nominee to the Supreme Court, who will yield immense influence on their
lives."
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2018/Aug/17/images/ads/current/hartsburggrain_daily_sda_021115.png)
Democrats have charged that Republicans are dragging their feet on
producing the documents needed to properly vet Kavanaugh, but
Republicans say the Democratic demands are designed to delay a Senate
vote.
Democrats want to know about any involvement Kavanaugh may have had on
controversial issues before the Bush White House such as policy toward
torture, the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, detention facility and other matters.
Some documents from Kavanaugh's lengthy career have been released, but
Democrats complain that a former deputy to Kavanaugh has been allowed to
selectively release the papers.
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![](../images/081718pics/news_t39.jpg)
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh leaves after a
meeting with Senator Joe Donnelly at Donnelly's office on Capitol
Hill in Washington D.C., U.S., August 15, 2018. REUTERS/Carlos
Barria
![](../images/ads/current/richardson_lda_PREMIUM_081018.png)
"I am going to meet with him (Kavanaugh) next week and I'll ask him
all about these documents and what he intends to do about it. "He
should have said already, he wants them released ..." said Schumer,
who has vowed to fight Kavanaugh's nomination.
Trump nominated Kavanaugh, 53, on July 9 to replace retiring Justice
Anthony Kennedy. Before he can assume the lifetime job on the
nine-member court, the Republican-controlled Senate must vote to
confirm him.
Confirmation hearings are set to begin Sept. 4, and Republicans are
hoping to have Kavanaugh confirmed by the time the court starts its
next term on Oct. 1.
Kavanaugh has amassed a solidly conservative judicial record as an
appeals court judge for 12 years. His confirmation will require a
simple majority in the 100-seat Senate, where Republicans hold a
51-49 edge over Democrats and independents.
(Reporting by Lisa Lambert and Susan Cornwell; Editing by David
Gregorio and Tom Brown)
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