Amid accelerating revelations of President Trump’s attempts to shut down the FBI’s investigation of his campaign and administration’s ties to Russia, Congresswoman Johnson today joined a discharge petition to force the House to vote on bipartisan legislation establishing an independent, outside commission to investigate the Trump-Russia connection and possible collusion to interfere in the presidential election:
Recent polling shows 78 percent of Americans want an independent investigation. “For too long, House Republicans have stood in the way of the full, independent investigation the American people deserve,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “We must have an independent, outside commission to investigate the Trump-Russia connection and the possibility of collusion to influence the presidential election without the brazen meddling of the Trump Administration.”
“If the President has nothing to hide, then he should welcome the chance to remove all doubt of a cover-up,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “It is time for House Republicans to decide which they value more: their oath to the Constitution or allegiance to a White House obstructing justice.”
The discharge petition filed by House Democrats and joined by Congresswoman Johnson will force the House to vote on H.R. 356, the Protecting Our Democracy Act, after 218 Members of Congress sign the discharge petition. Thus far, Speaker Ryan has refused to schedule a vote on the bipartisan bill, and House Republicans have voted seven times to block its consideration in the House.
In July 2016, the FBI opened an investigation into possible collusion between Trump campaign officials and the Russian government. Last week, President Trump admitted on national television that he fired FBI Director James Comey to try to stop his investigation into the Trump-Russia ties. On Monday, we learned the President compromised highly classified intelligence to the Russians and jeopardized the security of the American people – the day after he fired the FBI Director.
