House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told reporters Tuesday that Congress will likely receive a redacted version of special counsel Robert Mueller’s final report, rather than the full document without any exclusions that many in the party are seeking, and that’s OK with him.
“I think it’s appropriate for there to be redactions,” Hoyer, D-Md., said. “Grand jury testimony is covered by special rules and there are obviously other possible sources that need to be confidential, secret. There are methods that need to be confidential and secret. So, there is some justification for redactions.”
Hoyer’s view is at odds with six top committee members who sent a letter to Attorney General William Barr on Monday demanding the unredacted report. The committee chiefs threatened to subpoena Barr if he does not comply.
The nearly 400 page document likely includes material that would normally be redacted for privacy and security reasons under the law.
When asked about the views of other Democrats who want the unredacted version, Hoyer noted “there are 435 of us.”
Hoyer pointed to a recent House vote in which 420 members present that day voted to release the full Mueller report. But, Hoyer added, “that was in the context of, obviously, some reasonable, appropriate redactions.”
The top six committee members gave Barr until close of business Tuesday to turn over the document and are preparing subpoenas.
The House Judiciary Committee will vote Wednesday to advance a resolution authorizing the House to issue subpoenas to get the report.
Mueller completed the report last month. According to a summary from Barr, Mueller found no evidence President Trump’s campaign colluded with the Russians to win the 2016 election.
[Opinion: William Barr better be ready to explain all redactions in Robert Mueller report]
