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Waters Continues Calls for Mueller Report to be Made Public
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee, gave a statement on the House floor in support of H. Con. Res. 24, a resolution which expresses the sense of Congress that the report of Special Counsel Robert Mueller should be made available to the public and to Congress. Chairwoman Waters is an original cosponsor of H. Con. Res. 24.
See her floor statement below.
As Prepared for Delivery
Thank you very much, Chairman Nadler.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H. Con. Res. 24, which expresses the sense of Congress that the report of Special Counsel Robert Mueller should be made available to the public and to Congress.
Special Counsel Mueller has been appointed to ensure a full and thorough investigation of the Russian government’s efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election and to examine any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump. He has also been appointed with the authority to investigate and prosecute federal crimes committed in the course of, and with the intent to interfere with, the investigation, including perjury, obstruction of justice, destruction of evidence and intimidation of witnesses.
The gravity and magnitude of this investigation-- given that it goes straight to the heart of our democracy and involves the President of the United States-- requires the public release of the Special Counsel’s findings.
This is an investigation that affects each and every American, whether it implicates or exonerates the President, and therefore it must be brought to light so that the American people can see for themselves the findings and determinations made by an objective, impartial investigator who has a reputation for integrity.
In addition, the report will provide valuable insight and information for the important investigations being undertaken in the House, including the investigation being conducted by the Committee on Financial Services on money laundering and the President’s finances. Special Counsel Mueller has been appropriately deliberate and discreet in conducting his investigation. It is clear, from the manner in which the Special Counsel has approached this investigation that he has taken it seriously and has not conducted what President Trump refers to as a “witch hunt.”
So far, the Special Counsel’s investigation has resulted in 199 criminal charges, 37 indictments or guilty pleas and five prison sentences.
Whatever his prosecutorial decisions may be going forward, it is in the public’s interest to be given full transparency into those decisions and the explanations behind them.
I thank you and I yield back.
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