Senator Whitehouse reacts to Kavanaugh vote

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WLNE) — Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse was in the thick of it all today, giving heated testimony on why he felt Kavanaugh’s nomination shouldn’t move forward. Now with today’s 11th hour twist he feels confident the FBI will investigate the claims made against Kavanaugh.

Senator Whitehouse spoke to ABC 6 News just after that unprecedented vote. He says he cautiously optimistic at this point and thinks his testimony, and that of other democrats, really made an impact.

A chaotic end to 2 days of heated testimony and debate.

“This a really, really good step and something that I think very obviously should’ve been done from the get go,” says Senator Whitehouse.

Whitehouse has been insistent the FBI investigate the allegations made against Judge Brett Kavanaugh.

“If Leader McConnell were to force a vote on the floor without there having been an FBI investigation, Kavanaugh would lose,” says Whitehouse.

Testimony was heated Senator Whitehouse one of several democrats who abruptly left the room this morning.

“I’m here to join my colleagues in objecting to the sham process that is happening right now right next to us in the judiciary committee,” he said earlier in the day.

But overall, he thinks it was a good days work in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“I think people recognize good points when they see them and I think people recognize political risks when they see it. I think our good points and their political risk combined to make today happen,” says the Senator.

The FBI will have 1 week to investigate. Senator Whitehouse says if they put in a sincere effort and have a big enough team, that could be enough time.

© WLNE/ABC 6 2018