Special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election finally has access to over 50 interview transcripts, after the House Intelligence Committee voted to release them on Wednesday.

In the committee’s first move since Democrats regained control of the House last month, lawmakers gave voice vote approval to sending the transcripts from the House Intelligence investigation that Republicans had closed to Mueller’s probe last year.

Rep. Conaway (R) says House Intelligence took a bipartisan voice vote to send transcripts to Robert Mueller. First step under Democratic leadership. — Chris Megerian (@ChrisMegerian) February 6, 2019


Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), chairman of the committee, had vowed that releasing the transcripts would be among the first actions by his incoming Democratic majority.

That was delayed by a month because Republicans didn’t officially assign members to the committee until last week.

Though Mueller’s team has charged multiple associates of President Donald Trump with lying to Congress, the special counsel reportedly hadn’t been given access to all of the House Intelligence transcripts prior to Wednesday’s vote.

Schiff touted the vote in a tweet on Wednesday morning.

BREAKING: The House Intelligence Committee just voted to release all witness transcripts from our Russia investigation to the Department of Justice and Special Counsel Mueller. — Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) February 6, 2019

Later on Wednesday, Schiff announced that Democrats would be re-opening the House Intelligence Russia investigation with a focus on Trump and his campaign. He also said the committee plans to release all its investigation transcripts to the public.

Chairman Schiff announces the lines of inquiry House Intel will pursue as it revives its Russia probe pic.twitter.com/PBzl5Y44i5 — Tierney Sneed (@Tierney_Megan) February 6, 2019

When asked about the vote to release the House Intelligence transcripts, ranking member Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA), whose conduct as House Intelligence chairman in the previous Congress drew scrutiny from both parties, told reporters, “You guys are an embarrassment to yourselves.”