House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes said Monday his panel is conducting “vigorous oversight of the investigations into election-related cyber attacks,” saying Russia is a primary focus.
Nunes, R-Calif., said the panel has held “extensive” hearings and briefings on the topic and would “remain a vigilant monitor” of the FBI, CIA and other federal officials investigating cyber attacks. He also said the committee would oversee the production of a report on the matter requested by President Obama to “ensure its analytical integrity.”
The statement from Nunes comes after Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he supported Senate panels probing what appear to be pre-election hacks into Democrat party emails by the Russians.
House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., issued a statement confirming the House has already been probing cyberattacks. He did not back calls by Democrats for a new probe or investigation by a special commission.
Nor did Nunes.
“At this time, I do not see any benefit in opening further investigations, which would duplicate current committee oversight efforts and intelligence community inquiries,” Nunes said.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has called on Ryan “to join the bipartisan call for a formal investigation into Russia’s unprecedented assault on our democracy.”
