Rep. Charlie Dent said the Senate will take the lead on the Russia investigation. | AP Photo
Rep. Dent: House intel probe 'overly politicized'
By NOLAN D. MCCASKILL
A moderate House Republican on Wednesday said the Senate Intelligence Committee should lead the congressional investigation into Russia's alleged meddling because the House panel probe has been "overly politicized."
Democrats have called on the embattled chair of the House Intelligence Committee, California Republican Devin Nunes, to recuse himself from the chamber's probe, which includes a look into leaks and possible collusion between President Donald Trump's associates and Russian officials.
Nunes met with a source on White House grounds last week before publicly revealing that members of Trump's transition team were inadvertently picked up by intelligence surveillance. He briefed the president on his findings while fellow committee members were left in the dark and canceled a public hearing that would have featured testimony this week from former Obama administration officials, including former acting Attorney General Sally Yates.
Nunes tries to blame Democrats for troubled Russia probe
By AIDAN QUIGLEY and NOLAN D. MCCASKILL
"The Senate is gonna lead this discussion, or this investigation, on the Russian meddling into the election. I think that's where it is," Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.) told CNN. "It's unfortunate we are where we are in the House. It seems like there's not gonna be a House report on intelligence, on the Russian meddling, and so I think we have to turn our eyes to the Senate to see if they can come to a resolution."
Sens. Richard Burr and Mark Warner, the GOP chairman and Democratic vice chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, are expected to hold a news conference later Wednesday with an update on their investigation.
"My sense is right now that the House is in a situation where the issue's become overly politicized, it doesn't seem like there's much cooperation on either side and it seems that the Senate — both Senators Burr and Warner are doing a pretty good job running a fair investigation, and I think that's where we're gonna have to look right now to actually get a real report on this," Dent said.
Get breaking news when it happens — in your inbox.
He added that the House panel should try to continue its investigation. "But at this moment, I don't have any — I'm not optimistic just given the tone and the tenor and the various shots being taken by both sides," he said. "It sounds to me like they're kinda getting into a stalemate position — a bit paralyzed. The Senate is moving on a better trajectory, and I think we're gonna have to rely on the Senate for a report on this Russian meddling into the election."
House Intelligence Committee
Devin Nunes
Charlie Dent
Trump Russia scandal