A Senate aide said Ford's lawyer told the Judiciary Committee she prefers to testify next Thursday and doesn't want Kavanaugh in the room. Ford and Kavanaugh were invited to appear Monday about her allegation that he sexually assaulted her when they were teens. Should Ford testify, especially in public, it would pit the words of two distinguished professionals against each other as television close-ups capture every emotion. Kavanaugh, who's been eager to testify, said he was ready to appear Monday. Grassley previously said that in the interest of making Ford comfortable, he'd be willing to let Ford testify in public or private.

Source: CBC News September 20, 2018 20:56 UTC