The Senate Judiciary Committee approved Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court Friday.
The highly-anticipated vote came one day after the committee listened to testimony from Kavanaugh and the woman who accused him of sexual assault, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford.
The California psychology professor said during the hearing she is “100 percent” certain an intoxicated Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her at a high school party in 1982.
“I believed he was going to rape me,” Ford explained during her opening statement.
Kavanaugh passionately denied Ford’s account, arguing that the allegations against him were nothing more than a “search and destroy” effort by “the left.”
Read More: Shonda Rhimes, John Legend Support ‘Hero’ Christine Blasey Ford
Although many citizens and high-profile figures called for an FBI investigation into the allegations, the Judiciary Committee pressed forward with the confirmation process Friday afternoon.
But the hearing — that was originally set for 1:30 pm EST — was delayed by at least 30 minutes when Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake, a Republican, unexpectedly convened with top Democrats.
Flake, who earlier that morning said he would vote “yes” on Kavanaugh’s nomination, later told the committee he would stand by his position as long as an FBI probe was conducted before the full Senate vote.
“I think it would be proper to delay the floor vote for up to, but not more than, one week, in order to let the FBI to do an investigation, limited in time and scope to the current allegations that are there,” he said.
The Judiciary Committee then approved Kavanaugh’s nomination 11 to 10.
Following the dramatic events, many Hollywood stars took to Twitter to express their thoughts.
“A woman stopped Jeff Flake in the Senate elevator and let him have it. She spoke from her heart,” actor George Takei wrote on Twitter. “Sen. Flake had indicated he would vote for Kavanaugh. But after she confronted him, he declared he wanted more investigation and a delayed vote. Our hero’s name is Maria Gallagher.”
A woman stopped Jeff Flake in the Senate elevator and let him have it. She spoke from her heart. Sen. Flake had indicated he would vote for Kavanaugh. But after she confronted him, he declared he wanted more investigation and a delayed vote. Our hero's name is Maria Gallagher.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) September 28, 2018
Actress and #MeToo activist Alyssa Milano, who called Flake a coward early Friday morning, amended her opinion about him after the vote.
“I take it back,” she joked.
I take it back. ? https://t.co/i6snpYfpME
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) September 28, 2018
CNN contributor Symone D. Sanders tweeted: “Why didn’t Flake vote no this morning on holding the vote at 130pm?? This is more grandstanding. There are no assurances here. McConnell can put this on the floor tomorrow and I’m not sure if Flake will be a no!! Still not a profile in courage if you ask me.”
https://twitter.com/SymoneDSanders/status/1045742203233030144
Get Out director Jordan Peele chimed in: “Infinitely inspired by the bravery of Dr. Ford and the survivors who stand in defiance of evil. These are American heroes.”
Infinitely inspired by the bravery of Dr. Ford and the survivors who stand in defiance of evil. These are American heroes.
— Jordan Peele (@JordanPeele) September 28, 2018
“It would have been epic for Flake to have voted no or simply refuse to show up in committee until an investigation was completed. Flake knows the game,” famed activist DeRay Mckesson argued. “His power now is the threat of a no vote on the floor. Hopefully this wasn’t just a good speech leading up to him caving.”
It would have been epic for Flake to have voted no or simply refuse to show up in committee until an investigation was completed. Flake knows the game. His power now is the threat of a no vote on the floor. Hopefully this wasn’t just a good speech leading up to him caving.
— deray (@deray) September 28, 2018
It’s unclear at this time when the full Senate will vote on Kavanaugh’s confirmation.
