The Latest: Ernst says she intends to vote for Kavanaugh

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and allegations of sexual misconduct against him (all times local):

8:25 a.m.

Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst says that barring any new information from the FBI she intends to vote to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

Ernst is among six Republican women in the Senate. She told "CBS This Morning" on Tuesday that California college professor Christine Blasey (BLAH'-zee) Ford's sexual assault allegation against Kavanaugh lacks corroboration.

Kavanaugh strongly denies the accusation, but President Donald Trump and Senate Republicans have instructed the FBI to investigate it and any other "credible allegations" against him.

Ernst says if no corroboration is turned up she "will continue to support Judge Kavanaugh based on the information" she has.

She adds, "What message that sends to women in America is that we are innocent until proven guilty in this country."

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12:25 a.m.

In a switch in tactics, Democrats are raising new questions about Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's truthfulness when he testified to Congress last week.

The Senate's Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer of New York, says Kavanaugh seems willing to mislead senators about matters big and small to ensure his confirmation. He says there is mounting evidence that the appeals court judge isn't credible.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is pledging that senators will begin voting on Kavanaugh's nomination this week, and criticized what he called "endless delay and obstruction."

Democrats have seized on Kavanaugh's indignant, emotional testimony before the Judiciary Committee to question whether he has the temperament for a lifetime appointment on the nation's highest court.

Kavanaugh has denied claims of sexual misconduct by three different women.