Dr. Blasey’s lawyers have also asked for outside witnesses, including two trauma experts and the former F.B.I. agent who administered a polygraph examination to Dr. Blasey, the person familiar with the call said. Republicans have denied those requests, but Democrats say they will find a way to publicize those witnesses’ views.
Dr. Blasey “has agreed to move forward with a hearing even though the committee has refused to subpoena Mark Judge,” her lawyers’ statement added. “They have also refused to invite other witnesses who are essential for a fair hearing that arrives at the truth about the sexual assault.”
But perhaps the biggest sticking point is whether senators on the Judiciary Committee will question Dr. Blasey themselves, or use an outside lawyer or a committee aide, most likely a woman. In a letter sent Friday night to Dr. Blasey’s lawyers, Mr. Grassley said Republicans “reserve the option to have female staff attorneys, who are sensitive to the particulars of Dr. Ford’s allegations and are experienced investigators, question both witnesses.”
All the Republicans on the panel are men. In a midterm election season where Republicans are already struggling to connect with female voters, party leaders desperately want to avoid images of an all-male panel ganging up on a woman who says she experienced a sexual assault. There are four women on the Judiciary Committee, but all are Democrats.
Lawyers for Dr. Blasey have strongly opposed having an outside questioner, arguing that it could give the hearing a prosecutorial tone. And Senate Democrats have indicated that, no matter whom Republicans choose to question Dr. Blasey, when she is questioned by Democrats, senators will be doing the talking.
“We were told no decision has been made on this important issue, even though various senators have been dismissive of her account and should have to shoulder their responsibility to ask her questions,” Dr. Blasey’s lawyers said in their statement. “Nor were we told when we would have that answer or answers to the other unresolved issues.”
But George Hartmann, a spokesman for Mr. Grassley, said, “As far as we’re concerned, everything is resolved. The hearing is set for Thursday under the conditions outlined in the chairman’s letter on Friday.”
