A Senate confirmation vote on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh will be delayed for at least a week.
Senate Republican leaders say the delay will allow the FBI to conduct a supplemental background investigation of Kavanaugh, who is accused of sexual assault.
Kavanaugh has strongly denied any allegations of sexual assault or serious misconduct.
The delay was prompted by Arizona Republican Senator Jeff Flake and Senate Democrats, who pressed for a follow-up FBI probe before a confirmation vote.
Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski later joined the call for the FBI investigation — that posed a problem for Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who presides over a thin 51-49 majority in the Senate.
McConnell wants to schedule a confirmation vote for Kavanaugh as soon as possible.
Earlier, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted along party lines to refer Kavanaugh to the full Senate. The vote was 11-10.
Meantime, President Trump is indicating that he'll have a hands-off approach to a call for an FBI investigation before a final vote on U.S. Supreme Court Brett Kavanaugh.
When Trump was asked about it, he remarked that he'll "let the Senate handle that."
— with files from Metro Source