Emotional Kavanaugh swears innocence

Seconds after Chairman Grassley bangs his gavel and adjourns proceedings, the president tweeted: "The Senate must vote!"

"Do you believe in God", asks Republican John Kennedy.

"I'm gonna give you a last opportunity In front of God and country. I want you to look me in the eye. Are Dr Fords' allegations true?"

"They are not accurate as to me," says Kavanaugh.

"I have not questioned that she might have been sexually assaulted at some point in her life by someone some place. But as to me. I have not done this."

Kennedy asks if Deborah Ramirez's allegations from Yale University are true about exposing himself.

He says no, and if it had happened "it would have been the talk of campus".

He also says the latest accuser, who came out yesterday, is false.

Arizona moderate Republican Jeff Flake makes a short statement saying "this is not a good process but its all we got".

"We are 21 very imperfect senators trying our best to provide advise and consent," he says, adding that he hopes the public can understand that.

Kamala Harris asks if Kavanaugh has taken a polygraph test - he hasn't.

"I'm going to ask you one last time: are you willing to ask the White House to authorise the FBI to investigate the claims that have been made against you?" she says.

"I'll do whatever the committee wants," Kavanaugh begins, but Harris cuts him off saying she's heard that.

"Are you willing to ask the White House?" she presses.

"The FBI would gather witness statements. You have the witness statements."

"I'm just asking, are you willing to ask the White House to conduct such an investigation? Because as you are aware the FBI did take an investigation into you before we were aware of these most recent allegations."

Kavanaugh starts talking about the FBI, and Harris says she'll take that as a no.

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Kamala Harris, a California Democrat and possible presidential contender, asks: "Do you agree that it is possible for men to both be friends with some women and treat other women badly?

"Of course, but the point I've been emphasising - if you go back to age 14 for me, you'll find people, lots of people I've been friends with... women who talked about my friendship with them my whole life... it's a consistent pattern all the way through," the judge says.

"That is who I am," he adds.

Harris uses her last few seconds to ask if Kavanaugh watched Ford's testimony.

"I did not," Kavanaugh says, adding that he planned to.

The Senate has formally halted proceedings for the day, but the Kavanaugh rolls on in the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

The Senate reconvenes at 14:00 local time (18:00 GMT) on Friday.

Senator Cornyn wonders if Feinstein asked her staff who leaked Ford's letter, if it wasn't her.

She denies it and says she's asked her staff and they've denied leaking it.

Senator Ted Cruz weighs in, asking about what the process is for confidential follow-ups.

"So bipartisan investigators could have investigated this two months ago and it could have been heard in a confidential setting... without Judge Kavanaugh's name or Dr Ford's name being dragged through the mud?" Cruz says.

Chairman Grassley says yes and again says Democrats didn't want to participate.

"It's my understanding her story was leaked before her story became public," Feinstein says.

She notes Ford spoke to friends about it and that's probably how it was leaked.

Michael Avenatti, the lawyer known for representing adult film star Stormy Daniels, says his client Julie Swetnick wants to be heard.

On Wednesday, Swetnick became the third woman to make public allegations against Kavanaugh.

The 55-year-old lives in Washington DC and works for the US Department of Treasury, US Mint and Internal Revenue Service, having previously worked in other US government offices.

She claims she was the victim of a gang rape in 1982 at a party attended by the judge.

Some conservative commentators on today's hearings and their take on how the media covered them.

Texas Republican Ted Cruz begins by referencing Kavanaugh's parents, Edward and Martha, who have been seated in the committee room throughout the day.

"Watching your mother's pained face has been heart-wrenching as she's seen her son's character dragged through the mud," he says.

He calls the nomination process "the most shameful chapter in the history of the US Senate".

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Republicans plan to meet later on Thursday after the hearing formally adjourns to discuss the next steps in Kavanaugh's nomination.

Five Republican senators reportedly have yet to commit to voting to confirm Kavanaugh.

If Kavanaugh is successfully voted out of the judiciary committee, he will be voted on by the full Senate.

The chamber is divided between 51 Republicans and 49 Democrats, which means Republicans can only afford to lose one vote if they hope to confirm Kavanaugh.

The next session of the Supreme Court begins on Monday, 1 October.

Senator Cory Booker - a 2020 possible presidential hopeful - asks: "Are you saying Dr Ford's efforts to come forward... have all been part of an orchestrated political hit? Are you calling her some kind of political operative?"

Kavanaugh restates his family has no ill will towards Ford.

"Do you wish that she never came forward?" Booker asks.

"I did not do this," Kavanaugh begins.

Booker interrupts, and asks his question again, and this back and forth continues.

"I don't know her, but I've also said that we bear no ill will to her," Kavanaugh says. He brings up the fact that Ford's friend says he wasn't at a party with her.

Booker notes that the friend, Leland Keyser, "does not remember the night in question", but says she "believes Dr Ford".

"Do you think people who believe Dr Ford are legitimising despicable things?" Booker asks.

"Senator, I say, listen to both sides before you make a bottom line conclusion."

Booker again emphasises Ford isn't a political pawn.

"I apologise for what's going on with you," begins Republican Thom Tillis.

"I've been in a campaign and had lots of smears, but nothing like whats going on with you."

"I think you've been treated unfairly," he says, adding that he is "amazed" by how many hours of testimony Kavanaugh has now sat for.

"There is an investigation going on," Tillis says, dismissing the Democratic demands for an FBI investigation.

"We're doing an investigation. We're doing our level best," he says, asking the American public to visit the judiciary committee's website to see the timeline of their inquiry.

He says the same people who criticise Kavanaugh have already bought a web domain to attack the next nominee, should Kavanaugh not receive confirmation.

"I look forward to supporting your confirmation," he said, adding that these allegations can be pursued in court if the accusers wish.

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When asked by Senator Hirono whether he treated women with dignity and respect and was not a "sloppy drunk" in college, Kavanaugh says: "I got into Yale."

"I got there by bustin' my tail in college," he says, adding that he spent most of his time studying.

"They want to distract us from what happened here this morning," Democratic Senator Mazie Hirono said of her Republican colleagues.

"We heard from Dr Christine Ford who spoke to us with quiet, raw, emotional power about what happened to her. She said she was 100% certain it was you who attacked her. She explained how she came forward, struggled with her decision.

"So when you and my colleagues on the other side accuse us of ambushing you with false charges, we all have to remember Dr Ford's testimony and courage."

Let this compilation clarify his views for you.

Still to go on Republican side: Senators Jeff Flake, Ted Cruz, Thom Tillis and John Kennedy.

Remaining on the Democratic side: Senators Mazie Hirono, Cory Booker and Kamala Harris.