Senate Blocks Resolution Backing Intelligence Community on Russian Interference

Senate Republican Whip John Cornyn objects to adoption of a bipartisan resolution agreeing with the intelligence community's assessment on Russian interference in the 2016 election. The resolution, offered by Senators Jeff Flake and Chris Coons also commends the special counsel's probe on Russian meddling, reaffirms that Russia should be held accountable, calls for hearings on what was discussed in private between Presidents Trump and Putin at the Helsinki summit, and it also calls for additional sanctions on Russia. Following objection of the resolution, Senators Chuck Schumer and Robert Menendez introduce another resolution rejecting the request from Russia that it be allowed to question former U.S. Ambassador Michael McFaul regarding alleged crimes by financier Bill Browder, a critic of the Putin government. close