Kavanaugh accuser agrees to testify before Senate committee next week

Christine Blasey Ford, who has accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault, has agreed to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee next week.

Certain details appear to remain outstanding, including what day Ford will testify -- Thursday, as she had asked for, or Wednesday, which the committee chairman wanted.

Ford's lawyers also asked that no outside counsel be allowed to question their client, a reference to GOP members possibly hiring legal staff - likely women - to question Ford. Many Republicans are concerned about the optics of an all-male GOP panel questioning Ford.

Ford's lawyers wrote in an email Saturday afternoon that she "accepts the committee's request to provide her firsthand knowledge of Brett Kavanaugh's sexual misconduct next week."

"We are disappointed with the leaks and the bullying that have tainted the process, we are hopeful that we can reach agreement on details," the lawyers, Debra S. Katz and Lisa Banks, wrote in Saturday's email, ending with a request to set a time Saturday afternoon "to continue our negotiations."

The response from Ford's lawyers came around 2:30 p.m. Saturday, meeting a deadline set by the committee chairman, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa.

Kavanaugh has categorically denied the allegations and said he stands ready to testify whenever called.

The Republican committee chairman also tweeted Friday that he had granted Ford "five extensions" in setting terms for her testimony and he apologized to Kavanaugh, saying he's not normally so indecisive.

Katz sent a letter Friday accusing Grassley of setting "aggressive and artificial deadlines" on the negotiations.

Prior to the extension Friday, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee also questioned why Republicans could not wait another day to get a response from Ford.

“It’s clear that Republicans are doing all they can to cement another conservative seat on the Supreme Court—at any cost—even pushing through a nominee with a cloud of controversy hanging over his head,” Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California said.

“Brett Kavanaugh could serve on the court for 40 years, what’s another 24 hours to make sure we get this right?” she said.

ABC News' Ali Rogin contributed to this report.

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