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The handful of Republicans most vocal about their reservations seem to be growing increasingly frustrated.

\"PHOTO:
Win McNamee/Getty Images
PHOTO: Sen. Susan Collins answers questions from reporters on allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh on Capitol Hill, Sept. 17, 2018 in Washington.
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Sen. Susan Collins of Maine is urging Ford to reconsider and doesn’t think she can reject testifying in some form, either privately or publicly.

“Otherwise there are these very serious allegations hanging over the head of a nominee who has emphatically denied them and that's just not a good way for us to end,” Collins said in an interview with Maine radio station WVOM.

\"PHOTO:
Pablo Martinez Monsivai/AP
PHOTO: Sen. Jeff Flake, a member of the Judiciary Committee, walks past members of the media as he heads to Senate Chamber floor on Capitol Hill in Washington, Sept. 18, 2018.
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Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona, another Republican who has said it is important for Ford to be heard, also tweeted his exhortation to her.

“When Dr. Ford came forward, I said that her voice should be heard and asked the Judiciary Committee to delay its vote on Judge Kavanaugh. It did so. I now implore Dr. Ford to accept the invitation for Monday, in a public or private setting. The committee should hear her voice.”

When Dr. Ford came forward, I said that her voice should be heard and asked the Judiciary Committee to delay its vote on Judge Kavanaugh. It did so. I now implore Dr. Ford to accept the invitation for Monday, in a public or private setting. The committee should hear her voice.

— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) September 19, 2018

Some Democrats reacted sharply to the Republican position. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York said: \" I think saying you either testify on Monday or not be heard, I think is fairly outrageous.\"

\"There needs to be some element of an impartial investigation with that information going to the committee members before we have a public spectacle,\" Democratic Sen. Doug Jones of Alabama said.

\"PHOTO:
Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images
PHOTO: Senator Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa and chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, walks through the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Sept. 18, 2018.
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Late Wednesday afternoon, Grassley sent a new letter to Democrats on the Judiciary Committee, rejecting their request to delay Monday's hearing and dismissing calls for the FBI to investigate Ford's allegation.

“We’re not going to cancel any hearing until the last minute,” Grassley told ABC News earlier. “I don’t know what the last minute is. But until the last minute in hopes that she’ll take us up.”

Grassley stressed that the committee has offered to hear from Ford in an open or closed hearing, or to have committee staff interview her in public or in private.

“We’ve gone beyond what we did the first day of just having the open hearing she asked for. Because we've heard she may not want to come into that environment so we offered one more closed session or two ways of doing it by transcript,” he said.

Asked if he finds the allegations credible, Grassley, exasperated, said “That’s why we’re having a hearing,” as the elevator door closed.

Asked if he feels he has enough information to cast a vote, Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana, noted, “We’ve had a full confirmation hearing,” adding “I really hope Dr. Ford changes her mind and decides to attend.”

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