Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) lit into the mainstream media about what he called a bias against Republicans at a media conference Thursday about the impending vote to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

"This is almost rock bottom!"

Grassley was being asked if Republicans planned to make a criminal referral about the attorneys for Christine Blasey Ford based on what many saw as inappropriate behavior. He said he knew of no plans, but used the moment to criticize the media.

"What I'd like to do when we get all done," said Grassley, "because this is almost rock bottom, I would like to have the future mending things so we could do things in a collegial way ought to, and particularly when it comes to Supreme Court nominations."

"And you folks can have something to do with this!" he exclaimed, addressing the media.

"Now I would never use the word 'fake news,' I consider you folks policemen for our democratic system of government."

Grassley was referring to the phrase of derision that President Donald Trump had used effectively to assail the mainstream media.

"But I want to show you where some of you have bias," Grassley continued. "I've had demonstrators in my office for two weeks now, both for Kavanaugh and against Kavanaugh."

"And one time, the people that were for Kavanaugh wanted to be interviewed," he explained, "and they said we're only interested in interviewing people against Kavanaugh."

"Now that's a bias that none of you should be proud of!!" he concluded.

Here's the video of Grassley's angry criticism:

Senators were allowed to review the FBI report and receive a briefing from staffers on its contents for an hour at a time Thursday morning.

Democrats were incensed and called the report incomplete, while Republicans noted that the report revealed nothing new that would corroborate the allegations against Kavanaugh.