Marco Rubio: Voting Against Kavanaugh ‘Will Forever Be Perceived as a Verdict of Guilt’

RUBIO: "I do want people on the Supreme Court who believe that the proper role of that court is to interpret the Constitution according to its original intent. But if I had any evidence, or if any evidence emerges that corroborates these or any allegations of this kind, I would have voted against this nomination in a heartbeat, because someone who has committed sexual assault shouldn’t be on the bench, they should be in jail. And if you lied about it to the Congress, you should also be charged with perjury. But after seven background checks with over 150 people interviewed, we don't have any independent evidence to corroborate these allegations against him. None. So, with regards to this specific case, on the basis of the facts that I have before me, that we have before us, on the basis of what facts am I supposed to not just vote down this nomination, but in the process of doing so, render what will forever be perceived as a verdict of guilt. On the basis of what facts can anyone say or do that? It is legitimate to vote against him because you don't agree with this judicial philosophy, but it isn't fair to say you're voting against him, as some imply, because we're on the verge of putting someone who is confirmed and verified sexual abuser on the bench. That isn't justice. And no matter how just the cause is, a just cause never, never justifies unjust means. And so, based on the specific facts before us regarding this specific nomination and this specific case, I already voted to end debate on the nomination of Judge Kavanaugh. And tomorrow, I will vote to confirm him as an Associate Justice to Supreme Court of the United States."