WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (D-RI), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary’s RRCAL Subcommittee, issued the following statement after Republicans on the Judiciary Committee voted on party lines to block Democrats from investigating Attorney General Jeff Sessions’s ties to Putin’s Russia:

“It’s sad that Republicans continue to put their political party ahead of our responsibility to protect our democracy from foreign government interference. Vladimir Putin’s regime undermined our democracy by interfering in our Presidential election last year. They actively worked to help elect Donald Trump and undermine the Democratic nominee. Those are facts. 17 U.S. intelligence agencies agree.”

“Donald Trump is now our President. But the American people are demanding a thorough investigation into the extent of the Trump administration’s ties to Putin's Russia. Sadly, House Republicans and the White House continue to obstruct efforts to get to the truth.”

“While testifying under oath, Attorney General Sessions failed to disclose his contacts with Russia’s ambassador to the United States. For two months, he continued to withhold this information from the public. All the while, the White House has continued to distance itself from Paul Manafort, Roger Stone, Carter Page, and Michael Flynn – former members of Trump’s inner circle who have deep ties to Russia.”

“It’s long past time for the President to come clean with the American people. And until he does that, I’m going to continue pushing for the answers the American people deserve.”