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A key Senate Republican stated will probably be a minimum of one other month earlier than he finishes an investigation into whether or not Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti was conscious on the time of a high aide’s alleged sexual harassment of others within the mayor’s workplace, possible additional delaying any Senate motion on Garcetti’s nomination to be ambassador to India.
Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) stated he would proceed the work a minimum of by means of the Senate’s subsequent recess, which is because of finish April 25.
“I don’t have a particular date once we’re going to get achieved, however I do know it received’t be till after we get again after the recess,” Grassley stated in a quick interview within the Capitol.
Grassley’s inquiry is the newest delay in Garcetti’s nomination course of, elevating new questions on Capitol Hill about when or whether or not he can be confirmed. Grassley put a maintain on Garcetti’s nomination earlier this month, saying data he’s obtained from a whistleblower must be investigated.
President Biden nominated Garcetti to the publish eight months in the past.
Garcetti has stated underneath oath and earlier than Congress that he didn’t know in regards to the allegations towards his aide, Rick Jacobs, and if he had, he would have achieved one thing about it. Jacobs has denied the allegations.
A Democratic senator on Tuesday stated she, too, would love extra data on Garcetti’s denial.
“I perceive that he testified he didn’t know something about it. I’d identical to to get additional corroboration on that state of affairs,” stated Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), who since 2018 has been asking each judicial nominee about whether or not they have ever been accused of sexual assault or harassment. “I’m nonetheless gathering data. I’m not ready to let you know by some means right this moment,” she stated when discussing whether or not she has any considerations in regards to the nomination.
Grassley declined to characterize any conclusions his investigation may draw. He stated final week he would lengthen the probe after listening to from further whistleblowers and acquiring the ultimate copy of a report summarizing a city-funded investigation.
The report, which probed a Los Angeles police officer’s allegations towards Jacobs, cleared the mayor, however critics say it additionally disregarded data that will have bolstered the officer’s claims.
Grassley stated he should broaden the investigation as a result of town report had an “extraordinarily slender scope,” and didn’t cowl allegations that Jacobs sexually harassed Garcetti’s senior workers and made racist feedback to workers in entrance of Garcetti.
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman of the Senate International Relations Committee, questioned how a lot time Grassley was taking over the report.
“This nominee has been hanging on the market a very long time,” Menendez stated. “Impulsively, we’ve got an investigation. You recognize, I ponder whether it’s as a result of there’s one thing to really be pursued? Or is it simply, you understand, the method of delay.”
He insisted his committee did a “thorough vetting” of Garcetti, because it does for each nominee. “Now, if any individual comes forth after we do our vetting and says one thing, we actually will think about it if it’s dropped at our consideration,” he stated.
Among the Senate’s strongest advocates towards sexual harassment have been silent on the difficulty.
“It’s best to discuss to International Relations about it,” stated Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), who helped lead the 2018 battle to reform how sexual harassment claims towards lawmakers are dealt with in Congress.
“I’ll look into it and I’ll let you understand,” stated Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), who has fought towards sexual misconduct within the navy, when requested if she was conversant in the nomination.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), who questioned Garcetti on the subject throughout his December affirmation listening to, stated she was “glad” together with his assertion that he didn’t learn about Jacobs’ conduct.
On the listening to, Garcetti stated, “I wish to say unequivocally that I by no means witnessed, nor was it dropped at my consideration, the conduct that’s been alleged, and I additionally wish to guarantee you if it had been, I might have instantly taken motion to cease that.”
Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who’s among the many Republicans almost certainly to help a Democratic nominee, stated she “completely” deliberate to look into the allegations earlier than any potential ground vote.
“I’ve learn press accounts that there’re points involving some allegations of sexual abuse, however I didn’t know something past that,” she stated.
Naomi Seligman, a former Garcetti spokesperson, filed a grievance with the Justice Division final month demanding that Garcetti be prosecuted for perjury for denying that he knew about Jacobs’ alleged misconduct. She has been in contact with 20 senators’ places of work to talk out towards his affirmation.
“We’re inspired by our conferences on either side of the aisle,” she stated. “It’s heartening to see so many Senate places of work deal with this problem with the seriousness it deserves.”
Democrats management the Senate, 50-50, with the tiebreaking vote of Vice President Kamala Harris. If Garcetti can retain the help of all 50 Democrats, he can win affirmation with none Republican votes.
Occasions workers author Dakota Smith in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
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