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Call for Action on Investigation of Russian Interference in our Election


Russian interference in our election is a serious threat to our democracy.  There must be a thorough and legitimate investigation of that interference, including possible collusion between the Russian government and members of the Trump campaign.  On May 17 the Deputy Attorney General appointed former FBI Director Robert Mueller as a Special Counsel to investigate this matter.  This is a good first step which we applaud. 

However, by itself, this Special Counsel is not sufficient to adequately address the issues involved.  First, the Special Counsel’s investigation will be done very much in secret and only addresses prosecutable crimes committed by Americans.  It will not address Russian actions, nor our future responses to such actions.  Secondly, the Special Counsel is subject to being fired by President Trump.  Third, the report will not be made public.

In contrast, an Independent Commission will do its work mostly in public, has more latitude in what it investigates, and doesn’t answer to the President.

Congress has the responsibility to investigate the executive branch when there is enough evidence to do so; the Special Counsel is appointed by the DOJ, which is part of the Executive branch. Therefore, it is completely appropriate for both houses to propose legislation to create an independent investigation.

Currently, there is a bill in the United States House of Representatives (H.R. 356) and a bill in the Senate (S. 27) which would establish an Independent Commission as described above.

We ask the members of CVR to take action to demand that an Independent Commission be established to carry out a thorough investigation of all aspects of this matter.  Specifically, we ask that you request Senators and House of Representatives to move forward on these bills.

The form of such action can be any combination of the following:
Call, fax, email or mail your Senators and Representatives to move forward on these bills.

Senator Bob Casey
Washington, D.C.
393 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-6324
Toll Free: (866) 802-2833
Fax: (202) 228-0604
Email: https://www.casey.senate.gov/contact

Senator Pat Toomey
Washington, D.C.
248 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-4254
Fax: (202) 228-0284
Email: https://www.toomey.senate.gov/?p=contact

Congressman Lou Barletta
Washington D.C.
2049 Ray burn House Office Building
Washington, D.C.
Phone: (202) 225-6511
Toll-free: (855)241-5144
Fax: (202) 226-6511
Email: https://barletta.house.gov/contact/email-me

Congressman Scott Perry
Washington, D.C.
1207 Longworth House Office Building
Phone: (202) 225-5836
Fax: (202) 226-1000
Email: https://perry.house.gov/forms/writeyourrep/
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