Ross: Should you take your own advice?
Sep 19, 2018, 7:06 AM
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
It is all very awkward – this 11th hour assault accusation against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. But it’s not nearly as awkward as what happened in 1991 when Law Professor Anita Hill’s accusation against judge Clarence Thomas came out after the Judiciary Committee had voted to send his nomination to the full Senate.
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That was awkward enough to prompt one committee member to make a promise back then: “Let me say that I am going to work toward ensuring that this never happens again.”
In that case, the FBI had investigated Anita Hill’s claims, but the full committee wasn’t notified before holding the vote. The Senator said at the time, that has to change.
“Whenever the FBI is dispatched, every committee member should be notified about the nature of the allegation and have access to that report.”
He then addressed Anita Hill directly:
“A rule like this should ensure, once and for all, that even an 11th hour charge like yours has been fully considered.”
That senator was Chuck Grassley, who is no longer just a member of the Judiciary committee, he’s the chairman. He has full power to do just as he recommended 27 years ago.
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