(CNN) FBI Director Chris Wray told senators Wednesday that the FBI's investigation into Christine Blasey Ford's sexual assault allegation against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh was "limited in scope" and thus "consistent with the standard process."

Ford accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her at a house party when the two were in high school. Both Ford and Kavanaugh testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee last month, prompting the weeklong FBI investigation and hundreds to protest on Capitol Hill. The Senate reviewed the FBI's findings after they were sent it last Thursday and confirmed Kavanaugh by a 50-48 vote Saturday afternoon. Kavanaugh has denied all allegations against him.

During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Wednesday, California Democrat Sen. Kamala Harris asked Wray if the FBI was given full discretion over the investigation or whether it was limited by directions from the White House.

"Unlike most investigations like the sort that you and I and (Democratic Sen. Doug Jones of Alabama) have all been familiar with -- traditional criminal investigations, national security investigations -- a background investigation is very different," Wray replied. "Our only authority is as requested by the adjudicating agency -- in this case is the White House."

He added, "Our supplemental update to the previous background investigation was limited in scope and that is consistent with the standard process for such investigations going back quite a long ways."

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