Nebraska Republican Ben Sasse gave an impassioned speech to his fellow senators on Wednesday, talking about #MeToo, sexual assault and the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court.

Sasse, a frequent critic of President Donald Trump, talked about the "widespread legacy" of sexual assault in the U.S., growing emotional as he mentioned two close friends who had been victims of rape. He also talked about Trump's Supreme Court nominee, saying that over the summer he urged the president to consider another candidate for the vacant seat — a woman.

Sasse said that while he has complemented nominee Brett Kavanaugh on his "distinguished record of 12 years of service" as a judge on the D.C. Circuit Court, he asked Trump in June and early July to consider someone else. Sasse said he made the plea to Trump not knowing who would be chosen as the nominee.

"I urged him to nominate a different person," Sasse said. "I urged him to nominate a woman."

Amy Coney Barrett, of Indiana, who serves on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, was on the short list for the nomination.

Sasse cited the #MeToo movement, which took off a year ago, as a reason why he wanted Trump to look elsewhere to fill the seat vacated by Judge Anthony Kennedy in June.

"This Senate is not at all well prepared to handle potential allegations of sexual harassment and assault that might have come forward," Sasse said about his argument at the time.

Sasse did not address the vote expected to take place on whether to confirm Kavanaugh, who has been accused by multiple women of sexual assault and misconduct while in high school and college.

On Thursday, the Senate received the FBI's background investigation into the allegations against Kavanaugh.

A final vote on Kavanaugh's confirmation could happen as early as Saturday.

Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23.