Chris Van Hollen: “I think we all know that former FBI Director Comey just completed his public testimony before the Senate Intelligence…”

“I think we all know that former FBI Director Comey just completed his public testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee. He testified about how President Trump asked him to pledge his loyalty to him personally and how the President asked the FBI to drop the investigation into former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. We know that last December, Michael Flynn had a discussion with the Russian Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Kislyak, about dropping some of the economic sanctions that the United States has imposed on Russia. We know that Michael Flynn subsequently lied about that conversation. We also know--and former FBI Director Comey discussed it today--that he was fired by President Trump after he refused to pledge his loyalty to the President and did not drop the investigation into Michael Flynn. All of that has led to the appointment of a special counsel, Bob Mueller, who has now taken over the executive branch portion of the investigation--an investigation which will likely go on for some time. It is essential for the good of the country that we get to the truth of what happened and get a full accounting and report. As that investigation proceeds, there is one thing that should not wait, which is really what I want to talk about today. It is the need to take action against Russia for interfering in our democratic process and in our elections. There is no excuse for inaction on that front.…”