Jeff Flake: If Kavanaugh Lied, His Nomination Will Be Over

Willa Frej

Any proof that Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh lied during his Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing would be an immediate dealbreaker for his nomination, Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) said Sunday.

Flake, a Judiciary Committee member who led talks that delayed the full Senate vote on Kavanaugh’s confirmation so the FBI can investigate sexual assault allegations, said he plans to vote with other Republicans to confirm the Kavanaugh ― unless the probe discovers something.

“If Judge Kavanaugh is shown to have lied to the committee, nomination’s over?” CBS News’ Scott Pelley asked Flake in a “60 Minutes” interview that aired Sunday.

“Oh yes,” Flake responded.

Flake said in an interview with The Atlantic on Saturday that he would vote for Kavanaugh “unless they turn up something — and they might.”

Flake on Friday morning said he had decided to vote with Judiciary Committee Republicans to approve Kavanaugh’s nomination, saying he wasn’t convinced by Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony recounting her allegation that Kavanaugh forced himself on her when they were high school students.

Flake changed his mind later in the day after two survivors of sexual assault confronted him in an elevator. He voted with other committee Republicans to send the nomination to the full Senate, but got Senate leaders and President Donald Trump to approve the FBI probe.

Flake acknowledged that the FBI may not discover much, but it’s important to carry it out for the sake of a “process we can be proud of,” he said Friday.

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Ashley Kavanaugh holds hands with her husband, Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh, as they arrive for his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill.
Ashley Kavanaugh holds hands with her husband, Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh, as they arrive for his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill.
Brett Kavanaugh arrives to testify.
Brett Kavanaugh arrives to testify.
Kavanaugh is sworn in before testifying.
Kavanaugh is sworn in before testifying.
(Third, fourth and fifth from left) Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) with staffers at the hearing.
(Third, fourth and fifth from left) Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) with staffers at the hearing.
Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) listen to Kavanaugh.
Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) listen to Kavanaugh.
Judiciary Committee member Graham shouts during the hearing.
Judiciary Committee member Graham shouts during the hearing.
Actress Alyssa Milano (second from right), a prominent figure in the Me Too movement, listens to Kavanaugh.
Actress Alyssa Milano (second from right), a prominent figure in the Me Too movement, listens to Kavanaugh.
Edward Kavanaugh and Martha Kavanaugh, Brett Kavanaugh’s parents, listen to testimony.
Edward Kavanaugh and Martha Kavanaugh, Brett Kavanaugh’s parents, listen to testimony.
Brett Kavanaugh testifies as Ashley Kavanaugh looks on.
Brett Kavanaugh testifies as Ashley Kavanaugh looks on.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.