Booker releases 'committee confidential' Kavanaugh email at risk of suspension from the Senate

by RebeccaPilarBuckwalterPoza

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Thursday, Sep. 06, 2018 Thursday, Sep. 06, 2018 at 7:08:33am PDT

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) speaks as US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh attends the first day of his confirmation hearing in front of the US Senate on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, on September 4, 2018. - President Donald Trump's newest Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh is expected to face punishing questioning from Democrats this week over his endorsement of presidential immunity and his opposition to abortion. Some two dozen witnesses are lined up to argue for and against confirming Kavanaugh, who could swing the nine-member high court decidedly in conservatives' favor for years to come. Democrats have mobilized heavily to prevent his approval. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) — Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) speaks as U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh attends the first day of his confirmation hearing in front of the Senate on September 4, 2018.

The Democrats of the Senate Judiciary Committee are on a roll. And they’re taking some risks to get their points across.

Booker says he understands this act comes with the possibility he will be expelled from the Senate.

"How many times are you going to say the same thing?" Says Grassley, nastily.

"Running for president is no excuse for releasing confidential documents," says Cornyn emphatically.
— RPBP Ã°ÂÂÂ³Ã¯Â¸ÂÃ¢ÂÂÃ°ÂÂÂ (@rpbp) September 6, 2018

That’s a nasty blow from Cornyn—and proof he’s running scared.

Sheldon Whitehouse came in hot behind Booker.

"I am not willing to concede that there is any legitimacy to the whole committee confidential process. Nothing personal, nothing classified, nothing sensitive has been released."
— RPBP Ã°ÂÂÂ³Ã¯Â¸ÂÃ¢ÂÂÃ°ÂÂÂ (@rpbp) September 6, 2018

Let’s hope they keep it up today—we need it.

Thursday, Sep 6, 2018 · 2:22:52 PM +00:00 · Rebecca Pilar Buckwalter Poza

Well, White House has rushed in—led by Raj Shah of “I don’t talk to Raj” fame.

(2/2)

.. of the committees, subcommittees and offices of the Senate shall be liable, if a Senator, to suffer expulsion from the body; and if an officer or employee, to dismissal from the service of the Senate, and to punishment for contempt."https://t.co/N3ZsK1IZHB
— Raj Shah (@RajShah45) September 6, 2018

Booker acknowledged the threat of suspension, but the calculus has shifted now that he’s been backed by Durbin, Hirono, Whitehouse, and Klobuchar. This is big.

Thursday, Sep 6, 2018 · 2:36:04 PM +00:00 · Rebecca Pilar Buckwalter Poza

Update: From nuclear to supernova. Schumer’s backing the Judiciary Democrats.

I stand w/ Judiciary Committee Democrats who are well within their rights to release these very important documents that a former Kavanaugh deputy designed as Ã¢ÂÂcommittee confidential.Ã¢ÂÂ

The American ppl deserve to know the truth about Judge KavanaughÃ¢ÂÂs record. #WhatAreTheyHiding?
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) September 6, 2018

This puts Susan Collins, among others, in a very tough spot.

It’s critical that Senate Democrats back their colleagues on the Judiciary Committee in fighting back against this illegitimate nominee and invalid confirmation process. Sign here to tell Senate Democrats to hold strong.