Judge Brett Kavanaugh faces allegations of sexual assault from three women. He denies them all. | J. Scott Applewhite/AP photo kavanaugh confirmation GOP governors call for delaying Kavanaugh vote

Four Republican governors have called for the Senate to take its time with or even forgo a vote on the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court ahead of a hearing Thursday on Capitol Hill to examine sexual assault allegations against him.

Charlie Baker of Massachusetts, John Kasich of Ohio, Larry Hogan of Maryland and Phil Scott of Vermont are part of a small faction of Republicans who urged caution over three public allegations that have come to light since Kavanaugh's July 9 nomination, even as the majority of their colleagues in the Senate have argued for pushing through the process.


"The accusations brought against Judge Kavanaugh are sickening and deserve an independent investigation," Baker said in a tweet as the hearing began. "There should be no vote in the Senate."

The accusations brought against Judge Kavanaugh are sickening and deserve an independent investigation. There should be no vote in the Senate. — Charlie Baker (@MassGovernor) September 27, 2018

Kavanaugh has denied all allegations of misconduct. Kasich said Wednesday an independent probe of the allegations was "in the best interest of our country and the integrity of the court."

Christine Blasey Ford, who says Kavanaugh held her down and groped her while at a party in the 1980s, is fielding questions from the Senate Judiciary Committee after she sent confidential letters to her representatives in Congress and her story became public. Since she came forward, two other named accusers, Deborah Ramirez and Julie Swetnick, have separately brought allegations of sexual assault against Kavanaugh from his time at Georgetown Preparatory School and at Yale University.

"There are credible charges and big concerns. They need to be heard," Hogan said on Tuesday. "They ought to take whatever time it takes to make sure these accusers are heard and he has a chance to respond to them.”

Scott also urged caution ahead of the confirmation vote — which could take place as early as Friday morning — for the lifetime appointment to the high court.

"I'm not taking a position on Judge Kavanaugh himself, but we owe it to Americans to make sure that they get it right," Scott told the Burlington Free Press. "It's their obligation to do so. So take your time. Investigate."

