Hoyer Statement on House Intelligence Committee Republicans’ Vote to End the Investigation Into Russian Interference in the 2016 Election

WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement after Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee voted to end the committee investigation into Russia's role in the 2016 election:

“It is shameful that Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee chose to allow rank partisanship to cloud the investigation of Russia’s interference in our elections.  While Ranking Member Schiff and Committee Democrats reached out from the beginning to propose a serious, joint investigation free from partisanship, Committee Republicans did everything in their power to  undermine a real inquiry.  Instead, they acted as though they were the President’s defense team, refusing to ask tough questions of witnesses, distracting from attention on Russian interference by harping on conspiracy theories about former Secretary Hillary Clinton, and failing to call witnesses indicted or convicted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.  The consequence is a weaker America, and I hope the Senate Intelligence Committee’s bipartisan efforts will provide real clarity into the extent of Russia’s attack on our democracy.”