Story highlights
- “It is unfortunate we are where we are in the House,” he said.
- Democrats have repeatedly called for Devin Nunes to step down
“What I think should happen right now is the Senate is going to lead this discussion, this investigation on the Russian meddling into the election,” Rep. Charlie Dent said Wednesday on CNN’s “Newsroom,” referring the Senate intelligence committee’s probe. “I think that’s where it is.”
“It is unfortunate we are where we are in the House. It seems like there is not going to be a House report on intelligence, on the Russian meddling, so we have to turn our eyes to the Senate,” Dent added.
Nunes had worked closely on the House investigation into ties between top aides to the campaign of President Donald Trump and Russian officials. But the California Republican has been heavily criticized following a visit to the White House grounds one day before going to the President and the public with possible evidence that his transition aides’ communications were picked up in surveillance by US intelligence.
Nunes has repeatedly defended his actions and some Republicans, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, have said they have “full confidence” in his ability to oversee the probe.
But Dent said that there doesn’t appear to be enough cooperation among the House Intelligence Committee to more forward.
“My sense is right now the House is in a situation where the House has been overly politicized,” Dent, a Pennsylvania Republican, said. “It doesn’t seem like there is much cooperation on either side and it seems like Sens. (Richard) Burr and (Mark) Warner are doing a good job of running a fair investigation and I think that’s where we will have to look right now to get a real report on this.”
Dent stopped short of saying that the House committee should end their investigation.
“I think the House should try,” he said. “But at this moment, I’m not optimistic just given the tone and the tenor and the various shots being taken by both sides.”
“It sounds to me they are getting into a stalemate position,” he added.
