Washington, D.C. ? Monica Goodling, once Attorney General Alberto Gonzales’ White House liaison, would be granted immunity from prosecution and forced to testify under a plan being considered by a House panel probing the firings of federal prosecutors.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers said Tuesday that Goodling, who has refused to testify, has much to contribute to the investigation.

Conyers, D-Mich., had scheduled a committee vote today on granting Goodling immunity but agreed late Tuesday to a request from the panel’s Republicans to postpone it a week, said a committee spokeswoman. A two-thirds majority vote on the committee would be required to grant her immunity. The panel has 22 Democrats and 17 Republicans.

Republicans didn’t appear eager Tuesday to go along. Committee member Chris Cannon, R-Utah, said the immunity offer was “merely meant to fan the flames of speculation and grab headlines.” Goodling’s attorney, John Dowd, declined to comment on the offer.