JUST IN: Senate Republicans Extend Counteroffer To Kavanaugh Accuser

On Friday, Senate Republicans extended a counteroffer to California professor Christine Blasey Ford, who recently accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her in 1982, to testify on Capitol Hill next Wednesday.

Ford and her team have yet to respond but Republicans say they want an answer “by the end of the day,” reports Fox News.

“We need to hear from her. Monday is the preferred date. But we are open to other things,” a senior source told Fox. A senior Republican source added, “We can’t postpone forever.”

Ford was invited to testify on Monday by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley with a deadline to respond by Friday at 10 a.m., which has come and gone.

On Thursday, Debra Katz, an attorney representing Ford, told the Judiciary Committee that her client “is willing to appear for a hearing on Capitol Hill as long as senators provide ‘terms that are fair and which ensure her safety,'” notes Fox. Her lawyers also said Kavanaugh cannot be in the room when Ford testifies, that she may only be asked questions by committee members, and must be questioned after Kavanaugh testifies.

Ford claims Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her in the summer of 1982 in Maryland, though the specifics of where and when are unclear. Kavanaugh has flatly denied the allegations and is eager to defend his name by testifying. The other man allegedly in the room with Kavanaugh at the nonspecific party, Mark Judge, also issued a strong denial of the claims issued by Ford.

Kavanaugh penned a letter to the Judiciary Committee on Thursday, telling members he’d like to testify on Monday. “I continue to want a hearing as soon as possible, so that I can clear my name,” he said.

“Since the moment I first heard this allegation, I have categorically and unequivocally denied it. I remain committed to defending my integrity,” he added.

“Kavanaugh, under oath, answered questions from the Judiciary Committee earlier this week, and denied the allegations,” reports Fox News.