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The remarks from Collins are important because she may be the key to Kavanaugh's confirmation in a 51-49 Senate held by Republicans.

Her call for hearings would make them even more difficult to avoid if Kavanaugh's nomination proceeds.

A growing number of Republican senators have said that they want to hear from Ford, whose accusations against Kavanaugh were detailed publicly for the first time on Sunday in a story published by The Washington Post.

Ford says Kavanaugh held her down on a bed and attempted to take her clothes off during a party when both were high school students in the 1980s.

Kavanaugh has denied the allegation.

Asked about delaying the hearing on Sunday night, she told CNN that she would discuss the issue with her colleagues.

Collins is one of a handful of moderate senators, on both sides of the aisle, who have yet to say how they will vote on Kavanaugh. Republicans can only afford to lose one GOP senator before they would need to lean on Democrats to help get Kavanaugh confirmed.