Gabe Cavallaro

Staunton News Leader

U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-6th, says there are "several concerns" related to the 2016 presidential election "and its aftermath" that Special Counsel Robert Mueller is not investigating as part of his probe into whether Russia colluded with the Trump campaign to influence the election.

The statement comes as Congress returns to session from summer recess Tuesday and was made in an editorial in the Roanoke Times Sunday. It was also sent out in a press release from his spokeswoman Tuesday morning.

Goodlatte reiterated his call for a second special counsel to "investigate unaddressed issues connected to the 2016 election as well as other matters, including many actions taken by Obama Administration officials such as Attorney General Loretta Lynch, FBI Director James Comey, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton."

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"Just because a presidential election has passed does not mean that we should ignore possible crimes committed by a previous Administration," Goodlatte wrote. "A second special counsel, which would not impede Mueller’s investigation, will help shed light on issues that the Obama Administration never satisfactorily resolved and continue to cast shadows over our process."

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These are issues, that "merit further attention," he says, as "the American public has a right to know the facts — all of them — surrounding the election and its aftermath."

Goodlatte called for new scrutiny of Clinton's emails at the beginning of August, as well.

Goodlatte, who called Mueller's appointment "the right decision" back in May, said the judiciary committee would not interfere with the investigation, but would "continue closely monitoring" it and "exercise appropriate oversight as necessary."

He says as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, he's "ready to act" on the Mueller's findings "if necessary."

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