The Senate Intelligence Committee will hold a confirmation hearing on Tuesday for Rep. John Ratcliffe's (R-Texas) nomination to be President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE's director of national intelligence.

The panel formally scheduled the hearing on Thursday, a day after a source familiar with the matter confirmed to The Hill that they were preparing to move forward next week as the Senate returns amid the coronavirus pandemic.

A spokeswoman for Sen. Richard Burr Richard Mauze BurrRep. Mark Walker says he's been contacted about Liberty University vacancy Overnight Defense: Trump rejects major cut to military health care | Senate report says Trump campaign's Russia contacts posed 'grave' threat Senate report describes closer ties between 2016 Trump campaign, Russia MORE (R-N.C.), who chairs the committee, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment about if the panel will be implementing additional guidelines or safety measures to allow for social distancing during the hearing.

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The hearing — which will take place a day after the Senate returns to Washington — comes after President Trump and his allies had hoped Republicans would quickly confirm Ratcliffe. The role has been filled in an acting capacity since Dan Coats Daniel (Dan) Ray CoatsFBI chief says Russia is trying to interfere in election to undermine Biden The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Trump, Biden renew push for Latino support Former Intel chief had 'deep suspicions' that Putin 'had something on Trump': book MORE stepped down in August.

But the Senate's five-week break sparked by the coronavirus threw Ratcliffe and other pending nominations into limbo. Trump railed earlier this month against the Senate for holding pro forma sessions that prevent him from making recess appointments, and specifically pointed to the director of national intelligence position as one that was being delayed because of Congress's recess.

Ratcliffe's nomination is expected to spark a fierce fight with Democrats already urging Republicans to oppose him and help sink the nomination. Trump had initially said last year that he planned to nominate Ratcliffe for the post, but the Texas Republican withdrew his name from consideration amid scrutiny that he inflated his résumé and a lukewarm reception from Senate Republicans.

Several GOP senators on the Senate Intelligence Committee, including Burr and Sens. Marco Rubio Marco Antonio RubioOvernight Defense: Pentagon redirects pandemic funding to defense contractors | US planning for full Afghanistan withdrawal by May | Anti-Trump GOP group puts ads in military papers Democrats step up hardball tactics as Supreme Court fight heats up Press: Notorious RBG vs Notorious GOP MORE (Fla.) and John Cornyn John CornynThe Hill's Campaign Report: GOP set to ask SCOTUS to limit mail-in voting Liberal super PAC launches ads targeting vulnerable GOP senators over SCOTUS fight Senate GOP faces pivotal moment on pick for Supreme Court MORE (Texas), have indicated that they will support Ratcliffe's nomination.

But Republicans hold just a one-seat majority on the Senate Intelligence Committee.

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 moderate GOP senator who faces a difficult reelection campaign, is viewed as a swing vote on whether Ratcliffe's nomination will be sent to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation.

Several Republican senators, including Collins, have declined to say how they will vote on Ratcliffe's nomination. Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the full Senate, meaning he could lose three GOP senators and still be confirmed by allowing Vice President Pence to break a tie.