Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga. (Photo: Diego M. Radzinschi/ALM)

Truth and a vote by the end of the week are what Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., said Sunday he expects from a hearing Thursday with the woman accusing U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault.

“I really expect we'll get to a decision this week and move on,” Perdue told Chuck Todd on NBC's “Meet the Press” Sunday.

The interview aired prior to a new development in the story: A second accuser now brings allegations of sexual assault against Kavanaugh from his freshman year at Yale University, the New Yorker reported.

On Sunday, Todd opened by asking Perdue what he hopes to learn when Christine Blasey Ford testifies Thursday before the Senate Judiciary Committee about her claims that Kavanaugh attacked her at a party when they were both in high school.

“I hope that we will get to the truth. I think that's what the American people deserve. And that's what we're trying to do this week. I hope that both Judge Kavanaugh and Dr. Ford get an open hearing. I fully expect that this week,” Perdue said.

Next Todd asked Perdue how he will decide who's telling the truth with only the testimony of Ford and Kavanaugh, who denies the event took place.

“Well you actually do have other information. You have four other people who claim they have no recollection of the event,” Perdue said. “But what I have always done in a situation like this, Chuck, is look at it in a holistic manner, look at the pattern of behavior over a period of time and look at the individual information from the people who are giving that information and decide my own personal belief in their credibility. That's what each senator is going to do this week.”

Todd asked if Ford could say anything that would change his mind about supporting Kavanaugh.

“These are serious allegations. I hope Dr. Ford can be put in a comfortable situation where she can provide the information. Look, this is a democracy. We have a judicial system. But we also have innocent until proven guilty,” Perdue said.

Perdue expressed the Republicans' frustration with the timing of Sen. Diane Feinstein, D-Calif., in revealing what was first an anonymous complaint. But last week, Ford, a Palo Alto psychology professor, went public with her story of two drunken 17-year-olds locking her in a bedroom at a party when she was 15. She said in a letter made public that Kavanaugh pinned her down on the bed, groped her, tried to remove her clothes and put his hand over her mouth when she screamed, causing her to fear he would kill her inadvertently by keeping her from breathing. She said she escaped after Kavanugh's friend jumped on as well, causing him to fall off the bed. She said she fled to a bathroom and locked herself in until the boys stumbled down the stairs.

“My view is that we need to hear from both parties and make sure we do it in a timely manner,” Perdue said. “We've already waited three months to get this information since the information was provided to Sen. Feinstein. So, it's time to have this hearing and get the information before the American people.”

Todd asked Perdue about the denial of Ford's request to have an FBI investigation into her charges before she testifies. Todd also asked if the burden of proof should be higher or lower for a Supreme Court justice.

“This man has had six FBI investigations,” Perdue said, alluding to background checks for previous jobs, including Kavanaugh's lifetime appointment to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. “This isn't the first time he's been fully vetted.”

Todd noted those previous investigations did not cover the new charges and asked if the FBI should investigate Ford's complaint. Perdue said no, because the FBI's job in this instance is not to determine who's telling the truth but simply to make sure the issue goes before the Senate.

“The only people who are going to determine who's telling the truth in this issue are the United States senators,” Perdue said. “I really expect we'll get to a decision this week and move on, Chuck.”