Sen. Ben Cardin Benjamin (Ben) Louis CardinPPP application window closes after coronavirus talks deadlock Congress eyes tighter restrictions on next round of small business help Senate passes extension of application deadline for PPP small-business loans MORE (D-Md.) says outcry over leaks from government agencies is distracting from the importance of dealing with Russia's interference in last year's U.S. election.

“We don’t want leaks, but let’s not be distracted from the issue here. The issue here was Russia attacked the United States. They attacked our free, democratic election system,” Cardin told CNN’s “New Day” on Friday.

“They have an agenda,” he added. "We need to understand that and protect ourselves and take action against Russia.”

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Government leaks to journalists have driven much of the media’s coverage of the Trump administration in its first month, including the revelation that former national security adviser Michael Flynn talked sanctions with the Russian ambassador ahead of President Trump’s inauguration.

But Trump and his associates have sought to focus public attention on the leaks themselves, rather than what information is actually contained in them.

The president slammed the FBI in a pair of Friday morning tweets, criticizing the agency for being “totally unable” to contain leaks.

Congressional Democrats, joined by some Republicans, have called for special committees to investigate Russia’s election meddling, as well as Trump’s ties to Moscow.

Cardin has co-sponsored legislation requiring Trump to consult Congress before lifting sanctions on Russia.