WASHINGTON — The congressional probes into Russian meddling aren't likely to have any visible changes following the announcement of criminal charges by special counsel Robert Mueller against three former Trump campaign aides Monday.

A federal grand jury charged that former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and associate Rick Gates worked secretly to influence the U.S. government on behalf of pro-Russian factions in Ukraine, then laundered their profits through a series of overseas businesses and bank accounts. Prosecutors also announced George Papadopoulos, a foreign policy adviser on the campaign, pleaded guilty earlier this month to lying to FBI agents.

“I don’t think this affects what we’re looking at or will have any bearing on our report,” Florida Rep. Tom Rooney told USA TODAY. Rooney is one of the three Republican lawmakers overseeing the House Intelligence Committee’s investigation into Russian meddling in the election.

“As far as Mueller goes, we stay out of the criminal lane. And this is a good example why. None of these charges really have anything to do with the intelligence committee and our focus,” Rooney continued.

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The House Intelligence Committee is one of three congressional panels investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian officials. The Senate Intelligence Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee also are conducting probes.

"It doesn't change anything with our investigation. We received documents from and had interest in two of the individuals named, but clearly the criminal charges put them in the Special Counsel's purview," Senate Intelligence Chairman Richard Burr, R-N.C., said in a statement Monday.

He told reporters later, "Ours has never been to look at criminal acts; it’s to look at collusion and to look at Russia’s involvement in our ‘16 election."

News of the charges was an unwanted distraction for congressional Republicans at the beginning of what was supposed to be a big week for the GOP, as lawmakers are expected to roll out their tax reform legislation and to confirm Trump's nominees.

A press conference to discuss a judicial nominee turned uncomfortable when Republican senators — including Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa — were repeatedly asked about the charges.

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., left before reporters could ask questions, and Grassley left in the middle of the press conference. Majority Whip John Cornyn of Texas answered a few brief questions and then ended the press conference because reporters continued to ask about the topic.

“As far as Congress doing our job, I believe that the investigations into the Russia 'active measures' involving the election are continuing apace,” Cornyn said. “I don’t see how the indictment changes the president’s ability to do his job.”

But the charges do distract for the president's agenda, whihc was supposed to be focused this week on tax reform. “The only impact is drawing away the power of the (president’s) bully pulpit to be able to get up there and talk about the issues," said Sen. James Lankford, a member of the Intelligence Committee. "But the work in committees, the work on the floor ... none of that changes.”

Rep. Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said in a lengthy statement that Monday’s charges “could provide invaluable insights on core issues we are investigating on the Committee.”

Schiff said lawmakers will eventually need to hear from Manafort, Gates and Papadopoulos “to ensure the congressional investigations incorporate relevant information.”

Senate Intelligence Vice Chairman Mark Warner, D-Va., said the charges are “a significant and sobering step in what will be a complex and likely lengthy investigation by the Special Counsel.”

Warner said lawmakers in both parties need to make it clear that if future charges come down, Trump should not pardon himself or any of his associates. It is “imperative” that Congress “take action now to protect the independence of the Special Counsel, wherever or however high his investigation may lead,” Warner said.

“The President must not, under any circumstances, interfere with the special counsel’s work in any way. If he does so, Congress must respond swiftly, unequivocally, and in a bipartisan way to ensure that the investigation continues,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

There has been a bipartisan push to protect Mueller, The Senate Judiciary Committee is considering two bipartisan bills that would prevent Mueller from being fired.

Sen. Chris Coons, a Democrat from Delaware who serves on the Judiciary panel, said lawmakers are trying to reconcile the two bills, but he does not yet have a promise from Republican leaders to bring the bill to a vote.

“I think you’ll see more senators see this more broadly,” Coons said, as an issue of executive versus Congressional power, not just an effort to protect the Mueller investigation.

"The president is not interfering with Special Counsel Mueller's position, he's not firing the special counsel. He's said that before," Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow said on CNN on Monday afternoon.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said, "There's no intention or plan to make any changes in regards to special counsel."

Contributing: Deborah Barfield Berry, Erin Kelly, Kevin Johnson and Brad Heath

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