Christopher A. Coons (D - DE) Definitely No
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September 24: I publicly said I will vote against Judge Kavanaugh based on his extreme views as a judge about presidential power. These additional allegations are gravely concerning, but after his confirmation hearing I concluded I could not support him for the Supreme Court. (senate.gov)
September 24: “These new allegations are deeply concerning and reinforce the need for the FBI to investigate claims against Judge Kavanaugh. Everyone - the accusers, Judge Kavanaugh, and the American people - would benefit from a professional, impartial, federal investigation,” said Senator Coons. “I agree with Ranking Member Feinstein’s call for an immediate postponement of this week’s hearing and investigations into these claims.” (senate.gov)
September 23: I have made up my mind that I'm voting against Judge Kavanaugh, and that's based on his jurisprudence. (MSNBC)
September 20: I don't see why it is so urgent that we have this final confirmation hearing with Judge Kavanaugh just a few days from now. And it is my hope that we will demonstrate that we have learned some things in the last few decades since the confirmation of Justice Thomas, that we recognize and respect that for Dr. Ford to come forward with this truly disturbing allegation must be very difficult for her. It has put her and her family at risk. It has brought forward decades old disturbing memories and I respect and understand the challenge she has had making the brave decision to offer this information to the Senate Judiciary Committee. I think if we're to try and demonstrate the best traditions of the American Congress and of our system, we will try and craft a hearing that is both fair and appropriate to Judge Kavanaugh and gives him an opportunity to be heard, but that also demonstrates that we believe Dr. Ford, that we welcome her testimony, and that we will provide her an opportunity to be heard after an appropriate investigation by federal law enforcement. (senate.gov)
September 18: So I thought it was important to make it clear that I already have heard enough to, in my view, justify a no vote. (MSNBC)
September 17: After reviewing the portion of Judge Kavanaugh’s long record of public service that is available to us, meeting with him privately, participating in a robust four-day hearing, submitting detailed written questions, and hearing from thousands of Delawareans, I have concluded that Judge Kavanaugh holds views on several critical issues that are well outside the mainstream of American constitutional jurisprudence. I have profound concerns about Judge Kavanaugh’s extreme positions, and I have decided to vote against his nomination. (senate.gov)
August 24: Given the possibility of criminal wrongdoing by the President, doubts that Judge Kavanaugh believes a president can even be investigated, and the unprecedented lack of transparency regarding this nominee's record, we should not move forward with hearings on September 4th. Instead, we should have a special meeting of the Committee to discuss a bipartisan, fair, and transparent process for moving forward. (Twitter)
August 8: “No Senator should vote on a Supreme Court nominee without reviewing his or her full record. This should not be a partisan issue,” said Coons. “I’m disappointed that Republicans are standing in the way of basic transparency about a nominee for a lifetime position on our highest court. There is no good reason for it, and it undermines our institutions.” (senate.gov)
July 24: But I first want there to be an agreement about the release of the documents relating to his five years of service in the Bush administration and his time serving with Judge Starr's independent counsel team. He has a very long and detailed record. Much of it public, his decisions as a member of the D.C. Circuit Court, but much of it is not, his work at the highest levels of the Bush administration. And as we saw just last Thursday, there have been Trump nominees for senior judicial positions, who once we really know the full extent of their record, even Republicans failed to support...Of course I will meet with Judge Kavanaugh. I think we need to have an agreement in place first about the production of the documents necessary for any senator, in particular a senator on the Judiciary Committee, to begin the laborious process of digging through his whole record, so that I can ask questions that are well-informed, at his confirmation hearing, and in a personal meeting. (senate.gov)
July 9: While Judge Kavanaugh has strong legal credentials...I'm concerned about the type of justice he would be on the Supreme Court. As a Senator, and in particular, as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I will do my job in the coming weeks and months. I will meet with Judge Kavanaugh, thoroughly review his extensive record, and ask him direct, hard questions in both public and private settings. I will also do my best to make as clear as possible to the people of Delaware and the nation as a whole what it would mean to have Judge Kavanaugh on the highest court in the land. The American people deserve to know whether Judge Kavanaugh will act to dismantle the Affordable Care Act and protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions, sharply restrict access to abortion, further roll back worker's rights and environmental protections, expand the corrosive role of money in our politics, reverse the historic progress we've made for LGBTQ rights, and more. (Twitter)