Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell is joining bipartisan calls for a congressional investigation into Russia’s interference in the U.S. election, following an announcement that President Obama has ordered a similar such review.
“Obviously any foreign breach of our cybersecurity measures is disturbing, and I strongly condemn any such efforts,” McConnell told reporters Monday.
Congressional momentum has been building for a review of allegations that Russia conducted a series of cyberattacks to influence the presidential election results. McConnell said it was necessary to put partisanship aside in relation to such a review.
“This simply cannot be a partisan issue,” he said. “It defies belief that somehow Republicans in the Senate are reluctant to either review Russian tactics, or ignore them.”
“The Russians are not our friends,” McConnell added, noting he was speaking “for himself.”
McConnell also reiterated his faith in the U.S. intelligence community.
“I have the highest confidence in the intelligence community and especially the Central Intelligence Agencies,” he said.
Colorado senator Cory Gardner joined a chorus of Republicans in urging an investigation into the alleged interference Monday.
“Recent reports from our intelligence community concluded that Russia attempted to influence the U.S. presidential election,” a statement from the senator read. “These allegations must be thoroughly investigated.”
Other Republicans calling for a probe include Arizona senator John McCain, South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham and Florida senator Marco Rubio.
President-elect Donald Trump has maintained that Russia did not interfere with the 2016 election.
“I don’t believe they interfered. That became a laughing point, not a talking point, a laughing point. Any time I do something, they say ‘oh, Russia interfered,'” Trump has been quoted as saying.
