Rosalind Evans
The House and Senate intelligence committees conduct primary investigations into Russia’s meddling in the 2016 elections. However, two other committees also pursue their inquiries, garnering significant attention this week.
The current investigations into Russia’s election interference include the House Intelligence Committee, Senate Intelligence Committee, House Oversight Committee, and the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism. Here’s a closer look at each.
The House Intelligence Committee
Chaired by Republican Representative Mike Conaway from Texas and Democratic Representative Adam Schiff from California, the House Intelligence Committee has regained its footing. Upcoming plans include testimony from FBI Director James Comey on May 2 and a future hearing with former acting Attorney General Sally Yates. This represents a significant turnaround from a few weeks ago when a trip by House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes to the White House threatened to derail the investigation. The committee members are scheduled to convene for the first time in two weeks this Tuesday.
The Senate Intelligence Committee
This committee, led by Republican Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina and Democratic Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, has been conducting a thorough and systematic investigation. They have completed interviews with 27 analysts who put together a declassified intelligence report on Russia’s activities, held two public hearings, and are hiring two additional staff members. Interviews with critical aides from the Trump administration may be imminent. Despite criticism about the pace of the investigation from some Democrats, notably Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, Warner and Burr have expressed satisfaction with its progress.
The House Oversight Committee
Headed by Republican Representative Jason Chaffetz of Utah and Democratic Representative Elijah Cummings of Maryland, the House Oversight Committee recently disclosed startling news. They reported that former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn failed to include foreign payments in his 2016 security clearance application – a potential felony punishable by up to five years imprisonment. Although the committee is not prosecuting Flynn, it investigates his foreign payments from RT-TV, a Russian state news channel, and a company linked to the Turkish government. Despite the White House’s refusal to provide documents, the committee still receives information from other agencies such as the Department of Defense. The House Oversight Committee is not the primary investigative body but has unearthed some crucial information.
The Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism
South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Rhode Island Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse lead this committee. They announced that former acting Attorney General Sally Yates and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper would testify on May 8. This high-profile pair’s appearance comes just as the Russia investigations are intensifying. Graham has not signalled that his committee should be the central hub for inquiries about Russia, but he has certainly drawn attention to his involvement in the issue.
These four Congressional investigations into Russia’s interference in the 2016 U.S. elections reflect the seriousness and complexity of the issue. Though each committee varies in their methods and findings, creating a comprehensive understanding of Russia’s role is essential. As these investigations continue, they promise to shed more light on a crucial matter that has far-reaching implications for American democracy.
