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Clinton lawyer: She'll testify before Benghazi committee — but just once

In a letter to the committee, Clinton's attorney says she is "ready and willing" to testify publicly as soon as the week of May 18.
Democratic presidential hopeful and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks during the David N. Dinkins Leadership and Public Policy Forum at Columbia University April 29, 2015 in New York City, NY. (Photo by Kevin Hagen/Getty)
Democratic presidential hopeful and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks during the David N. Dinkins Leadership and Public Policy Forum at Columbia University April 29, 2015 in New York City, NY.

Hillary Clinton's lawyer says that the 2016 presidential candidate will appear before the House committee investigating the Benghazi attacks, but only once -- not twice, as its GOP chair requested.

In a letter to the committee released by the top Democrat on the panel, Rep. Elijah Cummings, Clinton's attorney says she is "ready and willing" to testify publicly as soon as the week of May 18.

"She will stay as long as necessary to answer the Committee's questions, but will not prolong the Committee's efforts further by appearing on two separate occasions when one will suffice," he added.

RELATED: Hillary Clinton asked to appear twice before House Benghazi committee

Cummings and other Democrats accuse Republican chairman Trey Gowdy of dragging out the investigation and hearings in order to hurt Clinton politically later in the 2016 campaign.

"Chairman Gowdy should take yes for an answer and finally schedule the hearing. Dragging out this process further into the presidential election season sacrifices any chance that the American people will see it as serious or legitimate," Cummings said.

This article originally appeared at NBCNews.com