Sen. Leahy Goes Off on Grassley’s ‘Orwellian’ Defense of Kavanaugh Document Dump: ‘Not Only Shameful, It’s a Sham’

Democrats and Republicans are going back and forth over document disclosure today in their opening remarks – and interruptions – in the first of the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) offered a defense of the documents and information that have been provided by and on behalf of Kavanaugh. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) called it a “sham” and cited “gaping holes” in the record.

“Any claim that this has been a thorough or transparent is downright Orwellian,” said Leahy. “This is the most incomplete, most partisan, least transparent vetting for any Supreme Court nominee I have ever seen. And I’ve seen more of those than any person serving in the Senate today.”

This was a direct response to Grassley, who earlier in the hearing said that “this committee has more materials for Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination than we have had on any Supreme Court nominee in history.”

Leahy said that, contrary to those remarks, “the notion than anyone has properly reviewed” the most recent 42,000 documents provided, “or even seen them at all, is laughable.”

“It doesn’t pass the giggle test,” he said.

Leahy said that only four percent of Kavanaugh’s White House record was shared with the public, and only seven percent made available to the committee.

Much of Kavanaugh’s White House records were withheld on the grounds of privilege.

“Today the Senate is not simply phoning in our vetting obligation,” said Leahy, “we’re discarding it. It’s not only shameful, it’s a sham.”

Watch the clip above, courtesy of C-SPAN.

[Featured image via screengrab]

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