Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) said Thursday that he is ready to vote on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation and that continued delays and accusations are meant to "humiliate" the nominee.
"They've humiliated this guy enough and there seems to be no bottom," Graham told reporters after the release of an FBI report from a week-long, supplemental background check into misconduct allegations. Many Democrats–even some who said a one-week investigation would be sufficient–have criticized the report, saying not enough witnesses were interviewed.
"It wasn't an investigation, it was nine interviews," Rep. Cheri Bustos (D., Ill.) said on Thursday afternoon.
Graham has defended the FBI probe, saying "I’m confident the FBI did a good job. They were not hindered in any way."
"If [Kavanaugh] would take a polygraph, it would all be over, Senator Graham," a voice shouted to Graham in the Capitol hallway.
"Why don't we dunk him in water, see if he floats," Graham responded, implying the ever-expanding standards Kavanaugh has been asked to meet are comparable to those historically imposed on women who were accused of being witches.
"The senators who requested the supplemental FBI background check got what they requested and I am ready to vote," Graham told reporters. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) announced that the Senate will proceeded with a preliminary vote on Kavanaugh's nomination on Friday.
Graham has defended Kavanaugh's nomination and decried the politicization of the confirmation process. Kavanaugh himself has categorically denied the accusations against him, calling them "last minute smears" designed to delay his nomination process further.
Speaking to Democrats during Kavanaugh's testimony last Thursday, Graham said "What you want to do is destroy this guy’s life, hold this seat open and hope you win in 2020."