NEW HAVEN, CT — The dean of Yale Law School, Heather Gerken, joined the American Bar Association for further investigation into the allegations made against Supreme Court nominee and Yale undergraduate and law graduate, Judge Brett Kavanaugh.

“I join the American Bar Association in calling for an additional investigation into allegations made against Judge Kavanaugh,” Gerken said in a statement. “Proceeding with the confirmation process without further investigation is not in the best interest of the Court or our profession.”

Gerken’s statement came as the Senate Judiciary Committee votes to advance Kavanaugh’s confirmation.

Friday’s vote comes after a full-day hearing on Thursday where both Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, the woman who accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her, and Kavanaugh, testified before the committee. Ford said she believed Kavanaugh was going to rape her at party in the summer of 1982. She also testified about the ways in which the assault has affected her life, saying she suffers from anxiety and claustrophobia.

Kavanaugh, who has denied the accusations against him, delivered an angry testimony before the committee and defended himself.

The American Bar Association has urged the Senate Judiciary Committee and the full Senate to slow down on the vote on Brett Kavanaugh for a position on the Supreme Court until the FBI has time to do a full background check on claims of sexual assault made by Ford and other women.

Photo by Andrew Harnik/Associated Press