Ben Sasse URGES White House — Choose Someone Other Than Brett Kavanaugh

"Although I've said many complimentary things about Judge Brett Kavanaugh and his distinguished record … I will say that I urged the president back in June and early July to make a different choice before he announced this nomination," Sasse said during an emotional speech from the Senate floor centering on sexual assault.

Sasse did not say whom he urged Trump to nominate, but that he "urged the president to nominate a woman." Circuit judges Joan Larsen and Amy Coney Barrett were considered to be on the White House's shortlist for the Supreme Court vacancy left by Anthony Kennedy's retirement.

Sasse said he had concerns about the Senate's ability to handle any potential sexual harassment or sexual assault allegations prior to learning of Kavanaugh's nomination.

"Part of my argument then was that the very important 'Me Too' movement was also very new and that this Senate is not at all well prepared to handle potential allegations of sexual harassment and assault," he said.