Judge Brett Kavanaugh, his accusers, the U.S. Supreme Court and the American people all deserve to have a full, fair, objective, definitive and final investigation of the claims of sexual assault. This is the only way to put an end to the now utterly polarized process of selecting an associate justice who will serve for life. There is new information potentially relevant to the fitness of Judge Kavanaugh. Had it been known at the time of the background investigation, it would have been considered.

There is no particular urgency to fill this seat. If it proceeds and a vote is taken to send the nomination on to the full Senate and Judge Kavanaugh is approved, that will not be the end of it. If the Democrats get control of the House of Representatives, it is highly likely that an investigation will be done while Judge Kavanaugh is on the Supreme Court. Then we may be faced with an impeachment proceeding. Only one associate justice, Samuel Chase, has been impeached by the House. The Senate acquitted him in 1805.