GOP Sen. Susan Collins Susan Margaret CollinsClub for Growth to spend million in ads for Trump Supreme Court nominee Maryland's GOP governor says Republicans shouldn't rush SCOTUS vote before election The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - GOP closes ranks to fill SCOTUS vacancy by November MORE (Maine), a key vote in the Supreme Court fight, on Wednesday urged a woman accusing nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault to speak with the Senate about her allegation.

"I hope that Dr. Ford will reconsider and testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday," Collins said in a tweet, referring to Christine Blasey Ford.

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She added that it is her understanding that the Judiciary Committee "has offered to hold either a public or a private session, whichever would make [Ford] more comfortable."

Collins's public urging comes after Ford’s lawyers said in a letter to the Judiciary Committee this week that Ford wants the FBI to investigate her allegation before she speaks with the panel.

Her lawyer said on CNN that Ford is not prepared to speak at Monday’s hearing, though she left open the door to talking with the Judiciary Committee in some capacity.

Ford alleges that Kavanaugh pinned her down to a bed and tried to remove her clothing during a party in the early 1980s when they were both in high school. Kavanaugh denies any wrongdoing.

Collins's comments are significant because she is part of a small group of undecided senators who will play an important role in determining whether Kavanaugh is confirmed.

In addition to Collins, GOP Sen. Jeff Flake Jeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeHow fast population growth made Arizona a swing state Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Republican former Michigan governor says he's voting for Biden MORE (Ariz.) — who had threatened to vote "no" on Kavanaugh if Ford wasn't given the chance to publicly testify — is also urging her to speak with the Senate.

Spokespeople for GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski Lisa Ann MurkowskiClub for Growth to spend million in ads for Trump Supreme Court nominee Pebble Mine CEO resigns over secretly recorded comments about government officials Maryland's GOP governor says Republicans shouldn't rush SCOTUS vote before election MORE (Alaska), another swing vote, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment about whether she supports moving forward with Kavanaugh's nomination if Ford refuses to testify.

Republicans have a 51-seat majority, meaning they can afford to lose only one GOP senator before they need to lean on Democrats to confirm Kavanaugh.

The sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh initially appeared to throw his nomination into jeopardy, with GOP leadership scheduling Monday’s public hearing amid intense pressure from their caucus members.

But Republicans are now signaling they are preparing to move forward with the nomination regardless of whether Ford testifies.

Sen. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamSenate GOP aims to confirm Trump court pick by Oct. 29: report The Hill's Campaign Report: GOP set to ask SCOTUS to limit mail-in voting Senate GOP sees early Supreme Court vote as political booster shot MORE (R-S.C.), a member of the Judiciary committee, said in a statement Wednesday that "it is imperative the Judiciary committee move forward on the Kavanaugh nomination and a committee vote be taken as soon as possible.”