Republicans say House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes’ ongoing probe is sufficient enough to handle the issue. | AP Photo House intel chairman dismisses call for expanded Russia probe

House Republicans are dismissing reports that Trump campaign staffers were in contact with Russia’s intelligence agency during the election and downplaying calling for a select committee to investigate the matter.

House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes, in a Wednesday morning interview with POLITICO, reacted angrily to calls for a new probe following a New York Times bombshell report about such communications. The California Republican vowed to continue his panel’s ongoing probe of Russia, but accused Democrats of politicizing the issue.


“The Democrats can play their politics all they want; they’re welcome to do that, this is Washington,” he said. “But as far as I’m concerned, we will continue to investigate the Russian activity like we’ve done for many years.”

When asked about the possibility of a select committee, Nunes added: “There is not going to be one; I can tell you there is absolutely not going to be one. And I am not going to be lectured by people who are speaking out of both sides of their mouths."

Several senior House Republicans and GOP sources privately echoed those comments. The posture contrasts with that of Senate Republicans. While he did not call for an independent committee to probe the matter, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the Russia contacts were "a significant issue."

"We are going to look at Russian involvement in the U.S. election," the Kentucky Republican said in an interview that aired Wednesday morning on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."

Democrats — and more than a few Senate Republicans — on both sides of the Capitol spent Wednesday morning ramping up pressure on Republican leaders to investigate the conversations between Trump officials and the Russian government.

But House Republicans believe Nunes’ ongoing probe is sufficient enough to handle the issue. Speaker Paul Ryan, in a separate "Morning Joe" interview Wednesday, said "it’s not as if the intelligence committee has not already been investigating this."

"There is no secret here: Russia has tried to meddle with our elections," he said, but added: "No one has made the claim that evidence exists that Donald Trump or his people were in on it."

A GOP source said Republican leaders are in touch with the White House about the latest report.

Another senior House Republican who did not wish to be named downplayed the need for further action in the House to investigate the matter. While the source said “there is great angst and concern about this amongst members,” he added that “there’s already an active investigation [of] the campaign in the intelligence community.”

Trump supporters likewise are sticking with the administration. A House Republican source close with the Trump White House dismissed the news and argued that Congress should stay focused on the president’s agenda.

“We support the president and we’re not flinching on this one,” the source said. “Its not a story playing back home. Our focus is on other issues; we have big agenda items we want to accomplish.”

Nunes, for his part, pointed to what he called President Barack Obama’s unwillingness to press Russia when he was in office.

“When I came out last summer and said the biggest intelligence failure since last summer was our failure to understand Putin’s plans and intentions, the administration pushed back and the intelligence agencies pushed back," Nunes said. "So, I don’t need a lecture, and I’m not going to play politics with people who don’t even know what they’re talking about.”

Jake Sherman contributed.