Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Wednesday that it's time for the Senate Judiciary Committee to vote on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, now that the woman accusing him of sexual assault from the early 1980s is refusing to testify about her claim.

“Requiring an FBI investigation of a 36 year old allegation (without specific references to time or location) before Professor Ford will appear before the Judiciary Committee is not about finding the truth, but delaying the process till after the midterm elections,” Graham tweeted after Christine Blasey Ford's lawyer said she wanted an FBI investigation before she testifies.

“It is imperative the Judiciary committee move forward on the Kavanaugh nomination and a committee vote be taken ASAP,” Graham said.



It is imperative the Judiciary committee move forward on the Kavanaugh nomination and a committee vote be taken ASAP. — Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) September 19, 2018



Late Tuesday night, Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said he agreed that without testimony from Ford, the Senate should start voting.

"Republicans extended a hand in good faith," Corker said, referring to the effort to hold a hearing. "If we don't hear from both sides on Monday, let’s vote."



After learning of the allegation, Chairman @ChuckGrassley took immediate action to ensure both Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh have the opportunity to be heard, in public or private. Republicans extended a hand in good faith. If we don’t hear from both sides on Monday, let’s vote. — Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) September 19, 2018



Ford, a 51-year-old professor, accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her while drunk at a high school party more than three decades ago. At the time, Kavanaugh was enrolled at Georgetown Preparatory School.

Although she came forward with her story to media and lawmakers this summer, she did not go public with the allegations until a few days before the committee was schedule to vote on Kavanaugh’s nomination.

Kavanaugh has denied any knowledge of the party in question or the allegations Ford has made against him, but said he would testify about the claim. Republicans tried to set up a Monday hearing for both Kavanaugh and Ford to testify, but Ford has balked, and Senate Democrats have also argued that the hearing should be delayed until a full FBI probe into the matter.

Republicans have said it's not the role of the FBI to examine a local incident like the one described by Ford, and said Democrats are only looking to delay Kavanaugh's confirmation.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, has indicated his committee would move on to considering Kavanaugh if Ford doesn't show, but hasn't said when that might happen.