"We have had numerous briefings and meetings with the administration where we put the information together that we have, that they had, and like I say it's a work in progress," Chairman Jim Risch said of the probe into Jamal Khashoggi's killing. | Alex Brandon/AP Photo Congress Amid uproar, GOP chairman satisfied with probe into Khashoggi killing

Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Jim Risch said Tuesday that he's satisfied with the Trump administration's probe into the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, even as several of his GOP members complain forcefully that the administration has not complied with a law requiring them to make a determination in the killing.

Many Senate Republicans widely believe that Khashoggi was killed at the direction of the Saudi kingdom after hearing from top administration officials last year. But President Donald Trump has declined to join them in that determination even though U.S. intelligence reportedly concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the killing. Though the Magnitsky Act required the administration to respond to a bipartisan request asking them to come to a conclusion, the White House last week declined to meet the deadline to reply.


Multiple Senate Republicans said in interviews on Monday night that they were angry about the administration's move to not comply with the law. But Risch said it's a "work in progress" and has no plans to do anything in his committee to try and move the process along more quickly.

"We have had numerous briefings and meetings with the administration where we put the information together that we have, that they had, and like I say it's a work in progress," the Idaho Republican said, saying that he "personally" is satisfied. "They've been very forthcoming with us ... they're working in good faith to reach a conclusion on this with some direct evidence."

"I don't need to compel them. They're as anxious to reach a conclusion as we are to reach a conclusion," Risch added.

Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) are pushing legislation to sanction Saudi officials and restrict weapons sales in the wake of the Khashoggi killing in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last year. Risch said he would speak to them about that legislation.