Washington, D.C. -Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, released a video on new revelations about communications between President Donald Trump’s advisers and the Russians.
“The White House and the President denied that there were any contacts at all between any Trump advisers and the Russians, but the list keeps growing: first General Flynn was fired for concealing his contacts with the Russian ambassador, then Attorney General Sessions had to recuse himself for concealing his meetings, and now, there are reports about other Trump advisers meeting with the very same Russian ambassador, including Carter Page, J.D. Gordon, and Jared Kushner, the President’s son in law," Cummings said. “What in the world is going on here? We need a truly independent and bipartisan independent commission."
Last year, Cummings and Rep. Eric Swalwell, the Ranking Member of the CIA Subcommittee of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, introduced the Protecting Our Democracy Act to establish the National Commission on Foreign Interference in the 2016 Election. Their bill would create a 12-member, bipartisan, independent commission empowered to interview witnesses, obtain documents, issue subpoenas, and receive public testimony to examine attempts by the Russian government or others to use electronic means to influence, interfere with, or undermine trust in last year’s U.S. elections.
“Every day seems to bring more news of Russia ties and Russia lies from President Trump and his team," said Swalwell. “Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ actions make him unfit for involvement in any Russia-related investigation, and an independent, bipartisan commission is the only way to get answers to what we are all asking: what were the political, personal, and financial ties between President Trump and his team and Russia. Every day of inaction is a victory for those who would attack our democracy again."
All House Democrats have cosponsored the bill, and last month, Rep. Walter B. Jones (NC-3) became the first House Republican cosponsor.
