President Donald Trump's embattled Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh faced a second accusation of sexual misconduct on Sunday, leaving Republicans scrambling to save a confirmation that until recently had seemed all but certain.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/brett-kavanaugh-accuser-agrees-testify-us-senate-167171">Also Read:&nbsp;Brett Kavanaugh accuser agrees to testify before US Senate</a>

The latest claims of impropriety during Kavanaugh's youth came as he was already facing a dramatic hearing where his testimony was to be weighed against that of a university professor who has separately accused him of assault.

Senate Democrats are now investigating a bombshell claim by Deborah Ramirez, 53, who says Kavanaugh exposed himself to her during a 1980s college party at Yale University, thrust his genitals in her face and caused her to touch them without her consent, according to The New Yorker.

The story was denied by Kavanaugh, who called it "a smear, plain and simple."

"The people who knew me then know that this did not happen, and have said so," the conservative judge said in a statement.

Like Christine Blasey Ford, the professor accusing him of assaulting her when they were teenagers, &nbsp;Ramirez is calling for an FBI investigation into the incident, and Democratic lawmakers are backing their demand.

Ford agreed to testify Thursday after an increasingly ugly weeklong standoff that saw her forced to leave her California home as she faced death threats and the president openly attacked her credibility.

Kavanaugh, who strongly denies the assault allegation, has said he wishes to testify as soon as possible to clear his name from Ford's claims that he attacked her at a high school party in the 1980s.

The federal judge has calendars from the summer of 1982 he plans to share with senators showing he was out of town most of that time with no indication of the party of concern, The New York Times reported.

The two parties will testify separately -- first Ford, followed by Kavanaugh, who will respond -- the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmed.

Senator Dianne Feinstein, the top Democrat on the judiciary committee, urged the panel to halt proceedings in light of the latest allegation.

"I am writing to request an immediate postponement of any further proceedings related to the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh," she said in a statement.&nbsp;

"I also ask that the newest allegations of sexual misconduct be referred to the FBI for investigation, and that you join our request for the White House to direct the FBI to investigate the allegations of Christine Blasey Ford as well as these new claims."

Confirmation in the balance

At stake is not only the fate of Trump's hand-picked Supreme Court nominee, but also Republican chances in November's midterm elections that face increased risk if the polarizing confirmation battle drags on.

Lindsey Graham -- a member of the panel that must approve Kavanaugh's nomination before it goes to the full chamber -- summed up the position of many Republicans by saying he did not expect Ford's testimony to change his mind.

"What am I supposed to do? Go ahead and ruin this guy's life based on an accusation?" he told "Fox News Sunday." "Unless there's something more, no, I'm not going to ruin Judge Kavanaugh's life over this."

According to a YouGov poll conducted for CBS, more than half of Americans want an FBI investigation before a vote on Kavanaugh, but more than two thirds of Republicans want a vote within days.

Republicans, who hold a paper-thin majority in the Senate, can ill afford defections if Kavanaugh is to be approved.

Danger of defections

"If one Republican senator should decide that Dr Ford's allegations, assertions, are true, and that they are serious, it could make a big difference in the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh," Democratic Senator Dick Durbin said on ABC's "This Week."

After days of relative restraint, Trump lashed at Ford on Friday, questioning the credibility of her allegations, and in doing so may already have hurt his nominee's chances with a senator from his own party.

Trump contended that Ford's decision to wait so late before going public shows the incident probably was not "as bad as she says" -- even if this runs counter to what experts say is the typical reaction of sexual assault victims afraid or embarrassed to report.

Susan Collins -- a Republican who sits on the Judiciary Committee -- said she was "appalled" by Trump's tweet, stressing that incidents of sexual assault were known to be chronically under-reported.

Trump's outburst saw an outpouring of sympathy for Ford -- and outrage at the president -- as thousands of women, and men too, shared why they had kept silent after being assaulted, under the Twitter hashtag #WhyIDidntReport.

President Donald Trump's embattled Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh faced a second accusation of sexual misconduct on Sunday, leaving Republicans scrambling to save a confirmation that until recently had seemed all but certain.

President Donald Trump's embattled Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh faced a second accusation of sexual misconduct on Sunday, leaving Republicans scrambling to save a confirmation that until recently had seemed all but certain. Also Read: Brett Kavanaugh accuser agrees to testify before US Senate The latest claims of impropriety during Kavanaugh's youth came as he was already facing a dramatic hearing where his testimony was to be weighed against that of a university professor who has separately accused him of assault. Senate Democrats are now investigating a bombshell claim by Deborah Ramirez, 53, who says Kavanaugh exposed himself to her during a 1980s college party at Yale University, thrust his genitals in her face and caused her to touch them without her consent, according to The New Yorker. The story was denied by Kavanaugh, who called it "a smear, plain and simple." "The people who knew me then know that this did not happen, and have said so," the conservative judge said in a statement. Like Christine Blasey Ford, the professor accusing him of assaulting her when they were teenagers, Ramirez is calling for an FBI investigation into the incident, and Democratic lawmakers are backing their demand. Ford agreed to testify Thursday after an increasingly ugly weeklong standoff that saw her forced to leave her California home as she faced death threats and the president openly attacked her credibility. Kavanaugh, who strongly denies the assault allegation, has said he wishes to testify as soon as possible to clear his name from Ford's claims that he attacked her at a high school party in the 1980s. The federal judge has calendars from the summer of 1982 he plans to share with senators showing he was out of town most of that time with no indication of the party of concern, The New York Times reported. The two parties will testify separately -- first Ford, followed by Kavanaugh, who will respond -- the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmed. Senator Dianne Feinstein, the top Democrat on the judiciary committee, urged the panel to halt proceedings in light of the latest allegation. "I am writing to request an immediate postponement of any further proceedings related to the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh," she said in a statement. "I also ask that the newest allegations of sexual misconduct be referred to the FBI for investigation, and that you join our request for the White House to direct the FBI to investigate the allegations of Christine Blasey Ford as well as these new claims." Confirmation in the balance At stake is not only the fate of Trump's hand-picked Supreme Court nominee, but also Republican chances in November's midterm elections that face increased risk if the polarizing confirmation battle drags on. Lindsey Graham -- a member of the panel that must approve Kavanaugh's nomination before it goes to the full chamber -- summed up the position of many Republicans by saying he did not expect Ford's testimony to change his mind. "What am I supposed to do? Go ahead and ruin this guy's life based on an accusation?" he told "Fox News Sunday." "Unless there's something more, no, I'm not going to ruin Judge Kavanaugh's life over this." According to a YouGov poll conducted for CBS, more than half of Americans want an FBI investigation before a vote on Kavanaugh, but more than two thirds of Republicans want a vote within days. Republicans, who hold a paper-thin majority in the Senate, can ill afford defections if Kavanaugh is to be approved. Danger of defections "If one Republican senator should decide that Dr Ford's allegations, assertions, are true, and that they are serious, it could make a big difference in the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh," Democratic Senator Dick Durbin said on ABC's "This Week." After days of relative restraint, Trump lashed at Ford on Friday, questioning the credibility of her allegations, and in doing so may already have hurt his nominee's chances with a senator from his own party. Trump contended that Ford's decision to wait so late before going public shows the incident probably was not "as bad as she says" -- even if this runs counter to what experts say is the typical reaction of sexual assault victims afraid or embarrassed to report. Susan Collins -- a Republican who sits on the Judiciary Committee -- said she was "appalled" by Trump's tweet, stressing that incidents of sexual assault were known to be chronically under-reported. Trump's outburst saw an outpouring of sympathy for Ford -- and outrage at the president -- as thousands of women, and men too, shared why they had kept silent after being assaulted, under the Twitter hashtag #WhyIDidntReport.

Kavanaugh faces new sexual misconduct claim

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/brett-kavanaugh-accuser-agrees-testify-us-senate-167171">Brett Kavanaugh accuser agrees to testify before US Senate</a>

The woman whose sexual assault allegation threatens to bring down President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee has agreed to testify in the Senate, her lawyers said Saturday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/paradise-power-and-polls-five-questions-maldives-vote-167176">Paradise, power and polls: Five questions as Maldives vote</a>

The Maldives -- a country of 1,200 islands in the Indian Ocean best known for its white beaches and blue lagoons -- will vote Sunday in a presidential election.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iran-summons-3-european-diplomats-over-parade-attack-report-167174">Iran summons 3 European diplomats over parade attack: Report</a>

Iran summoned diplomats from Denmark, the Netherlands and Britain over an attack on an army parade which killed at least 29 people near the Iraqi border, state-run media said on Sunday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-kicks-presidential-race-currency-slumps-167173">Indonesia kicks off presidential race as currency slumps</a>

Campaigning for Indonesia's presidential election in April kicked off Sunday, pitting incumbent Joko Widodo against a former military general in the race to lead the world's third-biggest democracy.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-capsized-ferry-tanzanias-lake-victoria-rises-207-167145">Death</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-capsized-ferry-tanzanias-lake-victoria-rises-207-167145"> toll in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-capsized-ferry-tanzanias-lake-victoria-rises-207-167145">capsized</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-capsized-ferry-tanzanias-lake-victoria-rises-207-167145"> ferry in Tanzania's Lake Victoria rises to 207</a>

The death toll from a crowded ferry capsizing in Lake Victoria rose sharply to 207 Saturday, a Tanzanian minister said, as rescue workers found a lucky survivor.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Brett Kavanaugh accuser agrees to testify before US Senate The woman whose sexual assault allegation threatens to bring down President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee has agreed to testify in the Senate, her lawyers said Saturday.

Brett Kavanaugh accuser agrees to testify before US Senate The woman whose sexual assault allegation threatens to bring down President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee has agreed to testify in the Senate, her lawyers said Saturday. Paradise, power and polls: Five questions as Maldives vote The Maldives -- a country of 1,200 islands in the Indian Ocean best known for its white beaches and blue lagoons -- will vote Sunday in a presidential election. Iran summons 3 European diplomats over parade attack: Report Iran summoned diplomats from Denmark, the Netherlands and Britain over an attack on an army parade which killed at least 29 people near the Iraqi border, state-run media said on Sunday. Indonesia kicks off presidential race as currency slumps Campaigning for Indonesia's presidential election in April kicked off Sunday, pitting incumbent Joko Widodo against a former military general in the race to lead the world's third-biggest democracy. Death toll in capsized ferry in Tanzania's Lake Victoria rises to 207 The death toll from a crowded ferry capsizing in Lake Victoria rose sharply to 207 Saturday, a Tanzanian minister said, as rescue workers found a lucky survivor.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The woman whose sexual assault allegation threatens to bring down President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee has agreed to testify in the Senate, her lawyers said Saturday.

Christine Blasey Ford's decision followed days of negotiations and came after Trump turned against her and said her accusation could not be true.

Ford "accepts the Committee's request to provide her first-hand knowledge of Brett Kavanaugh's sexual misconduct next week," said a message from her lawyers to the Senate Judiciary Committee, US media reported.

Time is running out for Trump to get his hand-picked conservative judge confirmed -- thereby tilting the Supreme Court firmly to the right for years to come -- before November elections when Republicans risk losing control of Congress.

The committee had given Ford, a California professor, until 2:30 pm (1830 GMT) Saturday to decide on whether to appear, after she rejected a Friday evening deadline imposed by the committee's Republican leader, Chuck Grassley.

"Although many aspects of the proposal you provided via email, on (Friday) are fundamentally inconsistent with the committee's promise of a fair, impartial investigation into her allegations, and we are disappointed with the leaks and the bullying that have tainted the process, we are hopeful that we can reach agreement on details," the lawyers' letter cited by The Washington Post said.

Denial

Ford alleges that Kavanaugh drunkenly assaulted her at a party when he was 17, she was 15, and they were attending private schools outside Washington in the 1980s.

Kavanaugh denies knowledge of any such assault and wants to give his side of the story to the committee.

Grassley has said the hearing should take place on Wednesday, but Ford said she wanted it on Thursday at the earliest and to be able to call as a witness a man whom she says was present during the assault.

The committee's Republican leadership turned down those demands.&nbsp;

After several days of maintaining a relatively neutral posture, Trump on Friday declared that Ford could not be believed.

"TAKE THE VOTE!" Trump tweeted, blaming "radical left wing politicians" for the controversy.

A call for respect

According to Trump, the fact that Ford remained silent until now shows the incident probably never happened -- even if this runs counter to what experts say is the typical reaction of sexual assault victims afraid or too embarrassed to report.

"I have no doubt that, if the attack on Dr Ford was as bad as she says," Trump wrote Friday on Twitter, "charges would have been immediately filed with local Law Enforcement Authorities by either her or her loving parents."

The senior member of the opposition Democrats in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, called Trump's logic "a highly offensive misunderstanding of surviving trauma," while Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein said: "We must treat sexual assault survivors with respect, not bully or try to silence them."

Even one of Trump's own Republican senators, Susan Collins -- &nbsp;who sits on the Judiciary Committee -- said she was "appalled by the president's tweet."&nbsp;

"We know that allegations of sexual assault are some of the most under-reported crimes that exist," Collins said.

Trump's outburst saw a new #MeToo era hashtag storm the internet, with people -- mostly women -- sharing why they did not report being assaulted under the Twitter hashtag #WhyIDidntReport.&nbsp;

Ford had initially guarded her anonymity but decided to waive it, she told the Post, because she felt her "civic responsibility" was "outweighing my anguish and terror about retaliation" after the basic outlines of the story emerged in the media.

Ford's husband, Russell Ford, was quoted by the Post on Saturday as saying the thought that Kavanaugh could be considered for the Supreme Court after Trump took office troubled her so much that she considered moving as far away as New Zealand.

"She was like, 'I can't deal with this,'" Russell Ford said. "I cannot live in this country if he's in the Supreme Court."

Republicans are frustrated over what they say was the deliberate timing of the last-minute revelation of Ford's allegation, accusing Democrats of seeking to prevent the process from finishing before the November midterm elections, when they hope to recapture at least one chamber of Congress.

For their part, Democrats say Republicans are mounting an unseemly rush to get Kavanaugh into the nine-member Supreme Court while they still control the legislature.

The woman whose sexual assault allegation threatens to bring down President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee has agreed to testify in the Senate, her lawyers said Saturday.

The woman whose sexual assault allegation threatens to bring down President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee has agreed to testify in the Senate, her lawyers said Saturday. Christine Blasey Ford's decision followed days of negotiations and came after Trump turned against her and said her accusation could not be true. Ford "accepts the Committee's request to provide her first-hand knowledge of Brett Kavanaugh's sexual misconduct next week," said a message from her lawyers to the Senate Judiciary Committee, US media reported. Time is running out for Trump to get his hand-picked conservative judge confirmed -- thereby tilting the Supreme Court firmly to the right for years to come -- before November elections when Republicans risk losing control of Congress. The committee had given Ford, a California professor, until 2:30 pm (1830 GMT) Saturday to decide on whether to appear, after she rejected a Friday evening deadline imposed by the committee's Republican leader, Chuck Grassley. "Although many aspects of the proposal you provided via email, on (Friday) are fundamentally inconsistent with the committee's promise of a fair, impartial investigation into her allegations, and we are disappointed with the leaks and the bullying that have tainted the process, we are hopeful that we can reach agreement on details," the lawyers' letter cited by The Washington Post said. Denial Ford alleges that Kavanaugh drunkenly assaulted her at a party when he was 17, she was 15, and they were attending private schools outside Washington in the 1980s. Kavanaugh denies knowledge of any such assault and wants to give his side of the story to the committee. Grassley has said the hearing should take place on Wednesday, but Ford said she wanted it on Thursday at the earliest and to be able to call as a witness a man whom she says was present during the assault. The committee's Republican leadership turned down those demands. After several days of maintaining a relatively neutral posture, Trump on Friday declared that Ford could not be believed. "TAKE THE VOTE!" Trump tweeted, blaming "radical left wing politicians" for the controversy. A call for respect According to Trump, the fact that Ford remained silent until now shows the incident probably never happened -- even if this runs counter to what experts say is the typical reaction of sexual assault victims afraid or too embarrassed to report. "I have no doubt that, if the attack on Dr Ford was as bad as she says," Trump wrote Friday on Twitter, "charges would have been immediately filed with local Law Enforcement Authorities by either her or her loving parents." The senior member of the opposition Democrats in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, called Trump's logic "a highly offensive misunderstanding of surviving trauma," while Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein said: "We must treat sexual assault survivors with respect, not bully or try to silence them." Even one of Trump's own Republican senators, Susan Collins -- who sits on the Judiciary Committee -- said she was "appalled by the president's tweet." "We know that allegations of sexual assault are some of the most under-reported crimes that exist," Collins said. Trump's outburst saw a new #MeToo era hashtag storm the internet, with people -- mostly women -- sharing why they did not report being assaulted under the Twitter hashtag #WhyIDidntReport. Ford had initially guarded her anonymity but decided to waive it, she told the Post, because she felt her "civic responsibility" was "outweighing my anguish and terror about retaliation" after the basic outlines of the story emerged in the media. Ford's husband, Russell Ford, was quoted by the Post on Saturday as saying the thought that Kavanaugh could be considered for the Supreme Court after Trump took office troubled her so much that she considered moving as far away as New Zealand. "She was like, 'I can't deal with this,'" Russell Ford said. "I cannot live in this country if he's in the Supreme Court." Republicans are frustrated over what they say was the deliberate timing of the last-minute revelation of Ford's allegation, accusing Democrats of seeking to prevent the process from finishing before the November midterm elections, when they hope to recapture at least one chamber of Congress. For their part, Democrats say Republicans are mounting an unseemly rush to get Kavanaugh into the nine-member Supreme Court while they still control the legislature.

Brett Kavanaugh accuser agrees to testify before US Senate

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump gave a full-throated endorsement to his embattled Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh on Thursday and tip-toed carefully around the sexual assault accusations that are facing him.

At a rally in Las Vegas, Trump appeared with Republican US&nbsp;Senator Dean Heller of Nevada and offered strong support for him in his tough re-election battle against Democrat Jackie Rosen in November congressional elections.

But perhaps more significantly were his words of praise for Kavanaugh, who is battling accusations from a California psychology professor that he assaulted her 36 years ago when both were high school students in the Washington DC area.

The accusations from Christine Blasey Ford, denied vehemently by Kavanaugh, threaten to slow his Senate confirmation vote, with Democrats saying the FBI should investigate the charges, a demand that is not gaining traction among Republicans.

"Brett Kavanaugh, and I’m not saying anything about anybody else, Brett Kavanaugh is one of the finest human beings you will ever have the privilege of knowing or meeting," Trump said.

Trump, steering clear of criticizing Ford on the advice of aides, predicted Kavanaugh will ultimately be confirmed.

"So we'll let it play out, and I think everything is going to be just fine. This is a high quality person," he said.

The crowd at the Las Vegas Convention Center roared its approval.

Speaking to Fox News anchor Sean Hannity prior to the rally, Trump addressed the Democrats' demand for an FBI probe into the Kavanaugh accusations, questioning why the FBI was not notified "36 years ago" when the incident allegedly occurred.

Las Vegas was the first stop on a week-long trip away from Washington for the president. He will headline at political events in Springfield, Missouri, on Friday, spend the weekend at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club, then go to New York for the UN&nbsp;General Assembly.

With Republicans fearful that Democrats could wrest control of the US&nbsp;House of Representatives and even the Senate from them in November elections, Trump urged his supporters to get out and vote for the party's candidates, saying the economic measures he has put in place could be hanging in the balance.

US President Donald Trump gave a full-throated endorsement to his embattled Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh on Thursday and tip-toed carefully around the sexual assault accusations that are facing him.

US President Donald Trump gave a full-throated endorsement to his embattled Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh on Thursday and tip-toed carefully around the sexual assault accusations that are facing him. At a rally in Las Vegas, Trump appeared with Republican US Senator Dean Heller of Nevada and offered strong support for him in his tough re-election battle against Democrat Jackie Rosen in November congressional elections. But perhaps more significantly were his words of praise for Kavanaugh, who is battling accusations from a California psychology professor that he assaulted her 36 years ago when both were high school students in the Washington DC area. The accusations from Christine Blasey Ford, denied vehemently by Kavanaugh, threaten to slow his Senate confirmation vote, with Democrats saying the FBI should investigate the charges, a demand that is not gaining traction among Republicans. "Brett Kavanaugh, and I’m not saying anything about anybody else, Brett Kavanaugh is one of the finest human beings you will ever have the privilege of knowing or meeting," Trump said. Trump, steering clear of criticizing Ford on the advice of aides, predicted Kavanaugh will ultimately be confirmed. "So we'll let it play out, and I think everything is going to be just fine. This is a high quality person," he said. The crowd at the Las Vegas Convention Center roared its approval. Speaking to Fox News anchor Sean Hannity prior to the rally, Trump addressed the Democrats' demand for an FBI probe into the Kavanaugh accusations, questioning why the FBI was not notified "36 years ago" when the incident allegedly occurred. Las Vegas was the first stop on a week-long trip away from Washington for the president. He will headline at political events in Springfield, Missouri, on Friday, spend the weekend at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club, then go to New York for the UN General Assembly. With Republicans fearful that Democrats could wrest control of the US House of Representatives and even the Senate from them in November elections, Trump urged his supporters to get out and vote for the party's candidates, saying the economic measures he has put in place could be hanging in the balance.

At Las Vegas rally, Trump backs Kavanaugh, treads carefully around accusations

A lawyer for the woman accusing Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump's US&nbsp;Supreme Court nominee, of sexual assault told a Senate panel on Thursday the professor will not testify on Monday as Republicans want but would be willing to appear sometime next week if certain terms are met.

Christine Blasey Ford, a psychology professor at Palo Alto University in California, has been given a Friday deadline by the Republican-led Judiciary Committee to decide whether to testify at a high-stakes hearing it has scheduled for Monday.

Her lawyer, Debra Katz, said in an email to committee staff Ford would be willing to testify under "terms that are fair and which ensure her safety" and asked to schedule a call later on Thursday to discuss the conditions.

If Ford agrees to appear, it would set the stage for a potentially explosive hearing just weeks before congressional elections that will decide the balance of power in Congress, against a backdrop of the #MeToo movement fighting sexual harassment and assault.

Kavanaugh, the conservative federal appeals court judge nominated by Trump in July for the lifetime job as a Supreme Court justice, also has been invited to testify on Monday. The Senate must confirm Supreme Court nominees.

Ford has said Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her in 1982 when both were high school students in Maryland, an allegation Kavanaugh has called "completely false."

"As you are aware, she has been receiving death threats, which have been reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and she and her family have been forced out of their home. She wishes to testify, provided that we can agree on terms that are fair and which ensure her safety," Katz wrote to the committee.

"A hearing on Monday is not possible and the Committee's insistence that it occur then is arbitrary in any event," Katz added.

A senior White House official said Kavanaugh and his wife also have received threats.

Chuck Grassley, the committee's Republican chairman, on Wednesday sent a letter to Ford's lawyers giving her until 10 a.=m&nbsp;(1400 GMT) on Friday to submit prepared testimony if she intended to show up on Monday.

Ford's lawyers had said on Tuesday she would testify only if the FBI first investigated her allegation. The FBI has said it is not investigating, a decision backed by Republicans who have accused Democrats of trying to delay the confirmation process.

In the new email, Katz said Ford's "strong preference continues to be for the Senate Judiciary Committee to allow for a full investigation prior to her testimony."

The confirmation fight has unfolded ahead of Nov. 6 congressional elections in which Democrats are seeking to take control of Congress from Trump's fellow Republicans. Kavanaugh's confirmation would solidify conservative control of the Supreme Court and further Trump's goal of moving the high court and the broader federal judiciary to the right.

The Senate is narrowly controlled by Republicans, who have embraced the idea of a quick vote on Kavanaugh's nomination if Ford does not to testify.

U.S. Capitol Police said 56 protesters were arrested in Senate office buildings during demonstrations against Kavanaugh.

Groups of protesters, most of them women, clogged the lobby of Grassley's Senate office on Thursday and targeted other Republican lawmakers. Many wore buttons stating "I believe Dr. Christine Blasey Ford."

Ford came forward with the allegation in an interview published in the Washington Post last Sunday. She accused Kavanaugh of attacking her and trying to remove her clothing while he was drunk at a party when he was 17 years old and she was 15.

Democrats, already opposed to Kavanaugh even before Ford made her allegation, accused Republicans of trying to railroad the nomination through the Senate.

"They are totally intent on getting Judge Kavanaugh onto the Supreme Court, come hell or high water," said Democratic Senator Mazie Hirono, who touted a letter of support for Ford signed by more than 1,000 women who graduated from the Maryland school Ford attended in the 1980s.

Responding on Twitter to Democratic criticism, the Republican-led Judiciary Committee defended Grassley's approach and described how its staff members have contacted four people alleged to have been present at the house where the alleged incident occurred.

One of the four has yet to be publicly identified. Two others have said they have no recollection of any incident like the one Ford described.

Twelve of Ford's family members wrote an open letter, posted on Twitter by her niece, actress and singer Bridgit Mendler, calling Ford "highly ethical" and saying "her honesty is above reproach."

"We believe that Chrissy has acted bravely by voicing her experience from the past, and we know how difficult this is for her. Chrissy is not someone who chooses to be in the spotlight," the letter said.

A lawyer for the woman accusing Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump's US Supreme Court nominee, of sexual assault told a Senate panel on Thursday the professor will not testify on Monday as Republicans want but would be willing to appear sometime next week if certain terms are met.

A lawyer for the woman accusing Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump's US Supreme Court nominee, of sexual assault told a Senate panel on Thursday the professor will not testify on Monday as Republicans want but would be willing to appear sometime next week if certain terms are met. Christine Blasey Ford, a psychology professor at Palo Alto University in California, has been given a Friday deadline by the Republican-led Judiciary Committee to decide whether to testify at a high-stakes hearing it has scheduled for Monday. Her lawyer, Debra Katz, said in an email to committee staff Ford would be willing to testify under "terms that are fair and which ensure her safety" and asked to schedule a call later on Thursday to discuss the conditions. If Ford agrees to appear, it would set the stage for a potentially explosive hearing just weeks before congressional elections that will decide the balance of power in Congress, against a backdrop of the #MeToo movement fighting sexual harassment and assault. Kavanaugh, the conservative federal appeals court judge nominated by Trump in July for the lifetime job as a Supreme Court justice, also has been invited to testify on Monday. The Senate must confirm Supreme Court nominees. Ford has said Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her in 1982 when both were high school students in Maryland, an allegation Kavanaugh has called "completely false." "As you are aware, she has been receiving death threats, which have been reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and she and her family have been forced out of their home. She wishes to testify, provided that we can agree on terms that are fair and which ensure her safety," Katz wrote to the committee. "A hearing on Monday is not possible and the Committee's insistence that it occur then is arbitrary in any event," Katz added. A senior White House official said Kavanaugh and his wife also have received threats. Chuck Grassley, the committee's Republican chairman, on Wednesday sent a letter to Ford's lawyers giving her until 10 a.=m (1400 GMT) on Friday to submit prepared testimony if she intended to show up on Monday. Ford's lawyers had said on Tuesday she would testify only if the FBI first investigated her allegation. The FBI has said it is not investigating, a decision backed by Republicans who have accused Democrats of trying to delay the confirmation process. In the new email, Katz said Ford's "strong preference continues to be for the Senate Judiciary Committee to allow for a full investigation prior to her testimony." The confirmation fight has unfolded ahead of Nov. 6 congressional elections in which Democrats are seeking to take control of Congress from Trump's fellow Republicans. Kavanaugh's confirmation would solidify conservative control of the Supreme Court and further Trump's goal of moving the high court and the broader federal judiciary to the right. The Senate is narrowly controlled by Republicans, who have embraced the idea of a quick vote on Kavanaugh's nomination if Ford does not to testify. U.S. Capitol Police said 56 protesters were arrested in Senate office buildings during demonstrations against Kavanaugh. Groups of protesters, most of them women, clogged the lobby of Grassley's Senate office on Thursday and targeted other Republican lawmakers. Many wore buttons stating "I believe Dr. Christine Blasey Ford." Ford came forward with the allegation in an interview published in the Washington Post last Sunday. She accused Kavanaugh of attacking her and trying to remove her clothing while he was drunk at a party when he was 17 years old and she was 15. Democrats, already opposed to Kavanaugh even before Ford made her allegation, accused Republicans of trying to railroad the nomination through the Senate. "They are totally intent on getting Judge Kavanaugh onto the Supreme Court, come hell or high water," said Democratic Senator Mazie Hirono, who touted a letter of support for Ford signed by more than 1,000 women who graduated from the Maryland school Ford attended in the 1980s. Responding on Twitter to Democratic criticism, the Republican-led Judiciary Committee defended Grassley's approach and described how its staff members have contacted four people alleged to have been present at the house where the alleged incident occurred. One of the four has yet to be publicly identified. Two others have said they have no recollection of any incident like the one Ford described. Twelve of Ford's family members wrote an open letter, posted on Twitter by her niece, actress and singer Bridgit Mendler, calling Ford "highly ethical" and saying "her honesty is above reproach." "We believe that Chrissy has acted bravely by voicing her experience from the past, and we know how difficult this is for her. Chrissy is not someone who chooses to be in the spotlight," the letter said.

Accuser of Trump's court nominee sets conditions for testifying

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Kavanaugh faces new sexual misconduct claim

News brief: Big stories of the day

Brett Kavanaugh accuser agrees to testify before US Senate

At Las Vegas rally, Trump backs Kavanaugh, treads carefully around accusations

Accuser of Trump's court nominee sets conditions for testifying