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Swalwell Issues Statement on Jeff Sessions’ Contacts with Russian Diplomat

March 1, 2017

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-15), the Ranking Member of the CIA Subcommittee of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement Wednesday night regarding Jeff Sessions' contacts with a Russian diplomat:

"It's time for the Attorney General to immediately step aside from any investigation involving ties between President Trump and Russia. Reports that Trump advisor Jeff Sessions met with the Russian ambassador to the United States twice last year, but failed to disclose those contacts when specifically asked during his confirmation hearing, are cause for great concern. The Attorney General of the United States is our nation's top law enforcement officer and prosecutor, responsible for following the facts wherever they may lead – withholding facts from sworn testimony is unacceptable.

"At best, he was careless with a subject of great importance; at worst, like General Michael Flynn, the Attorney General lied about prior contacts with Russia. His only responsible course now is to recuse himself from oversight or control of investigations into Russian interference in our election and Russian ties with the Trump campaign and administration.

"This is even further proof of the need for an independent, bipartisan commission to investigate Russian interference with the 2016 election, as provided by H.R. 356, the Protecting Our Democracy Act. Our bill – co-sponsored by the entire Democratic caucus, and now with its first Republican co-sponsor – is the only way to produce answers for the American people that can rise above the perception of political bias. We cannot delay any longer, as our enemies are emboldened by our inaction."