Members of Congress had mixed reaction to the news that Special Counsel Robert Mueller concluded his investigation, although most seemed to want the public to see what was discovered.
Here's what our nation's top leaders had to say about the report.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement:
I welcome the announcement that the Special Counsel has finally completed his investigation into Russia’s efforts to interfere in the 2016 elections. Many Republicans have long believed that Russia poses a significant threat to American interests. I hope the Special Counsel’s report will help inform and improve our efforts to protect our democracy.
I am grateful we have an experienced and capable Attorney General in place to review the Special Counsel’s report. Attorney General Barr now needs the time to do that.
The Attorney General has said he intends to provide as much information as possible. As I have said previously, I sincerely hope he will do so as soon as he can, and with as much openness and transparency as possible.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) issued the following joint statement:
Now that Special Counsel Mueller has submitted his report to the Attorney General, it is imperative for Mr. Barr to make the full report public and provide its underlying documentation and findings to Congress. Attorney General Barr must not give President Trump, his lawyers or his staff any ‘sneak preview’ of Special Counsel Mueller’s findings or evidence, and the White House must not be allowed to interfere in decisions about what parts of those findings or evidence are made public.
The Special Counsel’s investigation focused on questions that go to the integrity of our democracy itself: whether foreign powers corruptly interfered in our elections, and whether unlawful means were used to hinder that investigation. The American people have a right to the truth. The watchword is transparency.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MA) issued the following statement:
I have been clear from the start of the Special Counsel’s investigation: Congress and the American people deserve to know what his investigation has uncovered, including information about Russia’s efforts to undermine our democracy, allegations of the President obstructing justice, and any other potential criminal conduct by government officials. Our nation is based on the rule of law and the involvement of citizens in decision-making about our future, and these require transparency in pursuit of truth and justice. That is why I brought a resolution to the Floor last week expressing the sense of the House that the Special Counsel’s report ought to be made public to the fullest extent of the law and that every Member of Congress ought to be allowed to read it in full. The House approved that resolution 420-0 in a powerful statement of bipartisan agreement.
I urge the Attorney General to perform his duty to country and Constitution, ensure that this report is made available to Congress and the public, and resist any attempt by the White House to interfere. Russia and anyone involved in its efforts to undermine our elections or our democratic system of government must be held accountable and made to answer for their actions. I thank the Special Counsel and his team for their hard work, and I expect the Attorney General to move quickly to make the report available so that the Congress can then determine the best course forward.
Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) issued the following statement::
Like most Americans, I am glad to see that this investigation, which has taken nearly two years and cost tens of millions of dollars, has finally come to a close. The reports that there will be no new indictments confirm what we’ve known all along: there was never any collusion with Russia. The only collusion was between Democrats and many in the media who peddled this lie because they continue to refuse to accept the results of the 2016 election. I am glad Attorney General Barr will now be able to review the report, and I look forward to Congress being fully briefed on its findings, including the cost to taxpayers.
Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC) issued the following statement:
The Department of Justice has notified me and Ranking Member Feinstein that the Mueller Report has been turned over to Attorney General Barr. This notification indicates that Attorney General Barr will pursue as much transparency as possible.
Importantly, the notification also indicates that there were no areas of disagreement between the Attorney General or the Acting Attorney General and Special Counsel Mueller regarding courses of action. This information is specifically required to be disclosed by the regulations governing Special Counsel reports.
I expect both Ranking Member Feinstein and I will be briefed more thoroughly about the report in the coming days.
I will work with Ranking Member Feinstein and our House Judiciary Committee colleagues to ensure as much transparency as possible, consistent with the law.
I have always believed it was important that Mr. Mueller be allowed to do his job without interference, and that has been accomplished.
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