Washington Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell are among Senate Democrats asking for the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh to be delayed.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, called the Cohen plea deal on Tuesday a "game changer" and called on Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, to delay the hearing scheduled for September 4.
However, Democratic leaders are stopping short of talking about impeachment. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-California, told the Associated Press “impeachment has to spring from something else."
“I think what’s important here is we follow the process and that we get answers and that nobody is short-circuited” said Senator Cantwell when asked by reporters Wednesday about impeachment.
POLITICO reports that avoiding impeachment talk appears to be part of the midterm campaign strategy, as Democratic leaders worry it could backfire.
Meanwhile, Republican congressional leaders have, so far, dodged answering questions about the bombshell legal developments this week.
The only Washington Republican to respond to requests for comment, as of deadline Wednesday evening, was retiring Representative Dave Reichert who said, “I strongly believe that no one else is above the law, and those who are found guilty must be held accountable.”
“What Michael Cohen and Paul Manafort did was unacceptable and they should face punishment for their illegal actions. I trust our judicial system to work as it should and will continue to support Robert Mueller’s investigation,” his statement continued.
The GOP candidate running to replace him, Dino Rossi, issued a similar statement.
“The Special Counsel is continuing his investigation, and anyone found to have violated federal law should face the appropriate consequences,” said the Rossi campaign.
His Democratic opponent, Dr. Kim Schrier, meanwhile, faulted Rossi for not condemning President Trump’s “witch hunt” rhetoric.
“Yesterday’s developments confirm just how critical it is that Congress protect the Mueller investigation,” said Schrier in a statement. “The American people deserve to learn all the facts, and it’s clear we cannot trust Mr. Rossi or House Republicans to stand up to the Trump administration and protect this investigation.”
Other statements from Washington lawmakers:
“This week, our judicial system brought two Trump confidants to justice for their unlawful actions. Both Michael Cohen and Paul Manafort will be held accountable for their respective financial fraud and violation of campaign finance laws,” said Rep. Adam Smith, D-Washington. “The President is pushing a reprehensible culture where those around him feel emboldened to ignore the law. The message from the courts this week is clear; no one is above the law, not even a President or those acting on his orders.”
Republican House members Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Dan Newhouse and Jaime Herrera Beutler have not yet responded to requests for comment.
