Survivors of sexual assault are delivering tearful speeches in Susan Collins’s Capitol office. One woman says this month is the first time she’s ever come close to talking about being assaulted. 
Retired professor Elaine Johnson, 68, says her speech a few minutes ago in Collins’s office was the first time she’s spoken in a public setting about what happened to her as a child and teenager. Says she was inspired by Blasey Ford, says a Collins yes vote would be “crushing.”
Annabelle Rutledge of conservative Concerned Women for America walks in and says she’s also a sex assault survivor but “it’s terrifying to me” that her brothers or nephews could face unfounded allegations 36 years later. People are arguing with her. Quite a scene in an office.
No sign of Collins in the outer office, not sure where she’s at. Her staff are just going about their work as both sides turn the office into a town square.
