Jeff Flake: “I rise for the third time in the past 2 months to defend the integrity of our political process by defending the ongoing…”

“I rise for the third time in the past 2 months to defend the integrity of our political process by defending the ongoing investigation led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. The continuity of this investigation is critical to upholding public trust in our institutions of government due both to the substance of the investigation, the extent to which a foreign government was able to interfere in our political process, and the principle that no person-- no person, no matter how high the rank--is above the law. The investigation has produced results already, including the indictment of more than 12 Russian nationals for interference in the 2016 elections. It has also led to much knowledge about what was going on during the period of 2016 and beyond with regard to individuals in the United States. We need to protect the independence of the special counsel and allow this crucial investigation, and any like it in the future, to run their course. This particular bill, S. 2644, Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act, was approved by a bipartisan vote of 2 to 1 in the Judiciary Committee--14 to 7. We don't have many votes like that, the Senator from New Jersey will attest, in the Judiciary Committee. It has awaited a floor vote ever since. That is 9 months--9 months without a vote on this bipartisan bill that came out of the Judiciary Committee. I just asked a moment ago for unanimous consent to pass this legislation. It was objected to for the third time.…”