USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

U.S. Sen. Bob Corker says Republicans have "extended a hand" to hear from the woman who has accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault, and a vote on the judge's confirmation shouldn't wait past Monday.

His accuser, 51-year-old Christine Blasey Ford, came forward publicly Sunday in an interview with The Washington Post after first making the allegations anonymously.

Corker, a Tennessee Republican, previously told Politico the Senate committee weighing Kavanaugh's nomination should hold off on voting until hearing from Ford.

On Monday, Ford's attorney said she was willing to testify about the incident before the Senate Judiciary Committee. But, Ford's attorney Lisa Banks sent a letter Tuesday, addressed to Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa and obtained by CNN, that said Ford would only testify following an FBI investigation.

"After learning of the allegation, Chairman Chuck Grassley 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," Corker tweeted Tuesday night.

Ford said the assault took place at a party in Maryland when she was 15 and Kavanaugh was in high school, alleging Kavanaugh held her down and tried to remove her clothes while covering her mouth with his hand and leading her to believe that he could "inadvertently kill me."

Kavanaugh, 53, a federal appeals court judge chosen by Trump to succeed retired Justice Anthony Kennedy, agreed to appear before the committee again after a four-day hearing this month that was interrupted repeatedly by protesters opposed to his nomination. He denied Ford's accusation.

More:Kavanaugh's friend Mark Judge declines to testify about alleged sexual assault

More:Blackburn: Kavanaugh accuser should be heard, but no votes delayed

More:Republicans insist on strict timetable to hear out Kavanaugh's accuser