(CNN) Republicans in Virginia led by House Speaker Kirk Cox are prepared to set up a framework to publicly investigate the claims of rape and sexual assault leveled against Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax. The move comes as Virginia's General Assembly session comes to an end on Saturday.

Sources briefed on the plan say Cox would like to set up a special panel made up of an equal number of Republicans and Democrats who would build a process for the claims to be examined. The panel, likely a subcommittee of the House Courts and Justice Committee, would have subpoena power and the opportunity to call witnesses and hold public hearings on the matter. However, Cox is willing to move forward only if he can get buy-in from Democrats and, so far, the two sides cannot get on the same page.

The accusers, Vanessa Tyson and Meredith Watson, have both expressed a desire for Fairfax to resign. They also have said they are willing to tell their stories in an open hearing through the General Assembly. Both have said they are not interested in filing criminal charges against Fairfax, but Tyson has agreed to meet with the district attorney in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, where the alleged assault took place.

"It is unfathomable that the Virginia General Assembly appears intent on ending its current session without addressing this issue in any meaningful way," said Debra Katz, the attorney for Tyson, prior to Cox's call to action. "We call on the General Assembly to hire experienced independent investigators to conduct a prompt and thorough inquiry of these matters."

Democratic leaders have never ruled out the idea of a General Assembly-led investigation, but they have been very cautious in their approach, concerned that the lack of experience in matters like these and limited investigatory power could lead to a partisan sideshow.

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