Senator Kamala Harris Stumped Brett Kavanaugh With a Question About Abortion

Madison Feller
Updated

From ELLE

Judge Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearings continued on Wednesday, when senators had the chance to each question him for 30 minutes. Second to last on the list was Senator Kamala Harris, who didn't hold back from asking Kavanaugh about the Mueller investigation and abortion rights for women.

In reference to Roe v. Wade, Harris asked Kavanaugh whether he believes the right to privacy protects a woman's choice to terminate a pregnancy. He responded by saying there’s a principle that nominees shouldn’t talk about cases that could come before the Supreme Court and avoided giving an answer. Harris eventually moved on and asked Kavanaugh if he could think of any laws that give the government the power to make decisions about the male body. After a pause, he said, “Um, I’m happy to answer a more specific question.” “Male versus female,” she clarified, to which he responded, “I’m not thinking of any right now, Senator.”

At one point, Harris also asked Kavanaugh if he's ever discussed special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation with anyone at the law firm of Kasowitz Benson & Torres, which was founded by Marc Kasowitz, who has worked as President Trump's personal lawyer. Kavanaugh repeatedly avoided the question by saying he doesn't know if he's aware of everyone who works at the law firm:

According to Politico, an anonymous Democratic aide told the outlet that some Democrats "have reason to believe that a conversation happened and are continuing to pursue it."

Harris also asked Kavanaugh what the term "racial spoils system" means to him since he used the phrase previously in an op-ed. He responded that he wasn't sure what he was referring to then, and Harris explained the term has been used by white supremacists. According to the Washington Post, Kavanaugh responded that he wasn't aware and said, "I take your point and I appreciate it."