Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R., Iowa) expressed firm support for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh Friday, saying "it would be a travesty" if he is not confirmed.
"It would be a travesty if the Senate did not confirm the most qualified nomination in our nation's history. The multitude of allegations against him have proven to be false," Grassley said during a speech from the Senate on Friday.
Grassley condemned how Democratic politicians and liberal activists have treated Kavanaugh.
"What left-wing groups and their Democratic allies have done to Judge Kavanaugh is nothing short of monstrous," said Grassley. "I saw what they did to Robert Bork, I saw what they did to Clarence Thomas. That was nothing compared to what we witnessed here in the last three months. The conduct of left-wing dark money groups and their allies in this body have shamed us all."
Grassley later said the Democratic "playbook" has remained the same since the days of Bork, and added, "For the left wing, advice and consent has become search and destroy, a demolition derby."
Grassley argued that those making allegations against Kavanaugh bore the burden of proof, and that it was not met in the case of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, who accused the nominee of sexually assaulting her while they were in high school. Kavanaugh has denied the allegations and argued he will be a fair judge after his emotional testimony blasting his critics.
"It's a fundamental aspect of fairness, a fundamental aspect of due process that the accuser has the burden of proving allegations. Judge Kavanaugh was publicly accused of a crime and his reputation and livelihood were at stake, so it was only fair that his accuser have the burden of proof. The consensus is that the burden was not met," Grassley said.
The Iowa Republican concluded by calling for a vote to reject "mob rule" by confirming Kavanaugh.
"What we have learned is the resistance that has existed since the day after the November 2016 election is centered right here on Capitol Hill. They have encouraged mob rule," said Grassley. "I hope we can say no to mob rule by voting to confirm Judge Kavanaugh."
Later on Friday, the Senate voted to advance Kavanaugh's confirmation to a final vote, which is expected to take place on Saturday. Republican Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) voted No on advancing to the final vote, but all other Republicans voted Yes, along with Sen. Joe Manchin (D., W.V.).