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Congressman Biggs Requests Investigations Into Mishandling of Dr. Ford's Sensitive Correspondence

October 3, 2018

GILBERT, ARIZONA – Today, Congressman Andy Biggs sent letters to the House and Senate Committees on Ethics, requesting an immediate investigation into the mishandling of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford's sensitive correspondence. Congressman Biggs was joined by Representatives Steve King, Jeff Duncan, Bob Gibbs, Ralph Norman, Rod Blum, and Louie Gohmert.

Read the text of the House and Senate letters below:

HOUSE:

October 2, 2018

The Honorable Susan W. Brooks The Honorable Ted Deutch
Chairwoman Ranking Member
House Committee on Ethics House Committee on Ethics
1015 Longworth HOB 1015 Longworth HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515 Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Chairwoman Brooks and Ranking Member Deutch:

We are writing to respectfully request an immediate investigation into Representative Anna Eshoo and her staff for the mishandling of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford's July 30th letter. This sensitive document was leaked to the media without Dr. Ford's consent while it was hidden from the majority staff of the Senate Judiciary Committee. These acts demand an immediate and thorough investigation to find who is responsible.

Dr. Ford testified that she delivered a letter to Rep. Eshoo who forwarded it to Senator Feinstein on July 30, 2018 detailing allegations against Judge Brett Kavanaugh. In that letter, Dr. Ford asked that her identity remain confidential. The next day, Senator Feinstein confirmed that she would not share Dr. Ford's letter without her explicit consent. On September 12, 2018, The Intercept reported on the existence of the letter – a fact that was known only to Dr. Ford, Representative Eshoo, and Senator Feinstein. On September 13, 2018, Senator Feinstein referred the letter to the FBI. Senator Feinstein claims that she failed to disclose the contents of Dr. Ford's letter to Chairman Grassley because Dr. Ford asked for it to remain private. But Dr. Ford testified that she never consented to any of these disclosures.

Leaking Dr. Ford's letter was a cynically political act that is damaging to the credibility of the United States Congress. Deliberately outing Dr. Ford without her consent may have a lasting impact on women's willingness to report future assaults. Democratic members of Congress and their staffs placed political expediency above the wishes of Dr. Ford. For these reasons, we are calling for an immediate ethics investigation to identify the individuals who are responsible for this breach and take appropriate action.

For the integrity of our institution and the trust of future survivors of sexual assault, we urge that you give this matter your immediate attention.

Sincerely,

SENATE:

October 2, 2018

The Honorable Johnny Isakson The Honorable Christopher A. Coons
Chairman Vice Chairman
U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics
220 Hart Building 220 Hart Building
Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Chairman Isakson and Vice Chairman Coons:

We are writing to respectfully request an immediate investigation into Senator Dianne Feinstein and her staff for the mishandling of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford's July 30th letter. This sensitive document was leaked to the media without Dr. Ford's consent while it was hidden from the majority staff of the Senate Judiciary Committee. These acts demand an immediate and thorough investigation to find who is responsible.

Dr. Ford testified that she delivered a letter to Rep. Eshoo who forwarded it to Senator Feinstein on July 30, 2018 detailing allegations against Judge Brett Kavanaugh. In that letter, Dr. Ford asked that her identity remain confidential. The next day, Senator Feinstein confirmed that she would not share Dr. Ford's letter without her explicit consent. On September 12, 2018, The Intercept reported on the existence of the letter – a fact that was known only to Dr. Ford, Representative Eshoo, and Senator Feinstein. On September 13, 2018, Senator Feinstein referred the letter to the FBI. Senator Feinstein claims that she failed to disclose the contents of Dr. Ford's letter to Chairman Grassley because Dr. Ford asked for it to remain private. But Dr. Ford testified that she never consented to any of these disclosures.

Leaking Dr. Ford's letter was a cynically political act that is damaging to the credibility of the United States Congress. Deliberately outing Dr. Ford without her consent may have a lasting impact on women's willingness to report future assaults. Democratic members of Congress and their staffs placed political expediency above the wishes of Dr. Ford. For these reasons, we are calling for an immediate ethics investigation to identify the individuals who are responsible for this breach and take appropriate action.

For the integrity of our institution and the trust of future survivors of sexual assault, we urge that you give this matter your immediate attention.

Sincerely,