House Judiciary Committee ranking member Doug Collins, R-Ga., reversed course Wednesday, saying he no longer needed to hear special counsel Robert Mueller’s testimony about the federal Russia investigation.
“While I had hoped he would come before the committee and answer questions from lawmakers, Robert Mueller has led an extraordinary life of public service and is entitled to his life as a private citizen once again,” Collins said in a statement.
Collins’ comments came after Mueller faced the press regarding his 22-month investigation, announcing he was closing his office within the Justice Department and retiring to private life. He also suggested his report would be his testimony if Nadler should subpoena him to appear on Capitol Hill.
“Special Counsel Mueller confirmed today what we knew months ago when his report was released: there was no collusion and no obstruction,” he said. “Relitigating the 2016 election and reinvestigating the special counsel’s findings will only further divide our country. I appreciate Special Counsel Mueller highlighting the grave threat Russian interference in our elections poses to our democracy. It is time to move on from the investigation.”
House Oversight Committee ranking member Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, reiterated the “time to move on” refrain.
“[Nine] minute and 39 second press conference. Same conclusions. No new information,” the House Freedom Caucus member tweeted.
9 minute and 39 second press conference. Same conclusions. No new information.
Time to move on.
— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) May 29, 2019
House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., called more broadly for his Democratic counterparts to return to doing the people’s work in Congress. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., while suggesting last week that Trump had engaged in “a cover-up,” has tried to steer her conference away from impeachment.
“The special counsel made it very clear that his report is definitive and he has no intention to testify before Congress,” the GOP leader said in a statement. “It is well past time for Democrats to move on from this madness. Speaker Pelosi and her caucus need to accept the results of the 2016 election, admit there was no collusion, and recognize that Russia’s election meddling happened under President Obama’s watch.”
