Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), the ranking member on the House Intelligence Committee, briefed reporters Thursday about a meeting he had with the minority members and their intent to continue their investigation into Russian interference in our elections, despite the majority indicating their plans to end it.
For starters, Schiff and the other Democrats on the committee want to hold former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon in contempt. Bannon has refused to answer the committee's question in their closed door interviews, invoking executive privilege. As such, they put forward several motions to hold him in contempt, all of which were "rejected" by the Republicans, Schiff said.
Not only are they not interested in holding Bannon accountable, the majority is not interested in pursuing the investigation, Schiff noted. The Democrats, however, will be conducting more interviews "even without the participation of the majority."
Chairman Devin Nunes (R-CA) and the Republicans held a "secret meeting" in which they decided to end the interview portion of the investigation without consulting the committee Democrats, perhaps in hopes of "avoiding criticism," Schiff mused.
It is, he added, "a rather sad chapter in our committee's long history."
Still, finding no evidence of collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign, the majority is ready to wrap it up. The committee voted Thursday to release its report on the investigation. It is expected to be released to the public after Congress's Easter recess.
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