Senate GOP Leader Says Congress Will Investigate Russia Election Interference

Sen. McConnell says the Intelligence committee can look into CIA claims.

Speaking to reporters at an end-of-the-year press conference, McConnell (R-KY) indicated that he'd like the regular Senate committees to lead an investigation into Russia's possible involvement in the election, seeming to reject bipartisan calls for a new special committee to be formed to investigate.

He said he intends to "follow the regular order," which is considered Capitol Hill-speak for letting the established committees, like Intelligence and Armed Services, lead hearings or investigations. He said the Intelligence Committee is "more than capable of conducting a complete review of this matter.”

But after McConnell’s press conference Monday, Schumer released a statement saying he supported his participation.

"We welcome Leader McConnell’s support for a deep and thorough bipartisan investigation into reports that Russia interfered with the 2016 election," Schumer’s statement read in part. "This issue should not and must not turn into a political football."

McConnell pointed to a statement from the U.S. intelligence community, released in October, which publicly accused Russia of interfering in the 2016 election, but would not go further.

"That is what the intelligence community believes can be said in unclassified remarks," McConnell said. "Anything else is irresponsible, likely illegal, and potentially for partisan political gain."