Tester: ‘I have concerns about Kavanaugh's record'

Tester Will Vote Against Nominee's Confirmation

(Big Sandy, Mont.)-U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced he will vote against the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh, the nominee to serve a lifetime appointment on the United States Supreme Court.

“I have concerns that Judge Kavanaugh defended the PATRIOT Act instead of Montanans’ privacy. I have concerns about his support for more dark money in politics. I have concerns about who he believes is in charge of making personal health decisions. And I have deep concerns about the allegations of sexual assault against Judge Kavanaugh. Unfortunately, Judge Kavanaugh couldn’t find time to discuss these concerns with me in person, so the only information I have is from what he said in his hearings. I’ll be voting against him.”

Judge Kavanaugh helped the Bush Administration craft a program of mass domestic surveillance. He ruled in favor of increased government surveillance under the PATRIOT Act in Klayman v. Obama.

Tester requested a meeting with Judge Kavanaugh numerous times, but the White House refused to commit to a specific date and time.

Tester received thousands of emails and calls from Montanans about Judge Kavanaugh, a majority of which were opposed to his nomination.