Rep. Joaquin Castro (D., Texas) on Wednesday said it’s possible the Russians influenced the 2016 election by funneling money through the National Rifle Association.

Castro said the cooperation of Russian Maria Butina with federal investigators "really opens up an avenue for prosecutors to find out a few things."

"First, how deep and extensive the Russian connections are for the NRA," Castro said. "Remember, there was reporting and news about the NRA possibly accepting Russian money. This will be somebody who could tell us more about that."

MSNBC host Chris Matthews asked Castro whether Butina was part of a conspiracy to get Trump elected by "channeling" money through the NRA.

"Do you think it is possible that Russian oligarchs were spending money through the NRA in the U.S. to get Trump elected? Channeling money through the NRA?" Matthews asked.

"I cannot say that definitively or conclusively, but I certainly think it is worth further investigation, yes," Castro replied. "And if you ask me do I think it is possible, yes, I do."

Castro also said Butina’s cooperation could shed light on "the relationship between the NRA and some people in Donald Trump's circle, between them and Russian oligarchs."

He argued Butina must be very well connected in Russia because of how she was able to bring an NRA delegation to Moscow and meet with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Alexander Torshin, a Russian government official, was responsible for arranging that meeting, and it’s unclear how Butina fits into Torshin’s relationship with the NRA.