Sarbanes Statement on House Intelligence Committee Republicans Shutting Down the Russia Investigation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) released the following statement today after Republicans on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Committee announced that they would prematurely end the investigation into Russia's 2016 election meddling:

"By closing down the Russia investigation, Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee have abandoned their Constitutional responsibilities and made a mockery of Congressional oversight. Rather than follow the facts and provide the American people with a full accounting of Russian interference in the 2016 election, House Republicans have chosen to protect the interests of President Trump, his family and his associates. By doing so, they are putting our nation's security and our democracy at risk for future attacks – and history will judge them sharply for these actions.

"The intelligence community – including many Trump appointees – unanimously agree that Russia interfered in the 2016 election. The special counsel has indicted 13 Russian nationals and 3 Russian organizations for conspiring to defraud the United States during the election cycle. President Trump's campaign chair has been indicted by the special counsel. His deputy campaign chair, national security advisor and one of his foreign policy advisors have all pled guilty to lying about their interactions and dealings with Russian agents during the 2016 campaign.

"Many questions about what happened during the 2016 election remain unanswered, and the American people deserve to know the truth. Shutting down the House Intelligence Committee's investigation begs one question: What are House Republicans and President Trump trying to hide? None of this passes the smell test."

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