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Congressman Pallone Moves to Force House Vote to Launch Independent Trump-Russia Commission

May 17, 2017

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06) joined a discharge petition to force the House to vote on bipartisan legislation establishing an independent, outside commission to investigate the Trump-Russia connection and possible collusion to interfere in the presidential election.

“With each passing day, the President’s actions give greater and greater urgency to the need for a full and independent investigation of the Trump-Russia connection. We need to know the extent of the relationship between the Trump campaign and the Trump administration and Russia. We need to know why the president fired James Comey. We need to know if the President attempted to interfere with Mr. Comey’s investigation of Michael Flynn. If Speaker Ryan won’t put his country before party and call a vote on an independent commission, then we must demand a vote.”

The discharge petition will force the House to vote on H.R. 356, the Protecting Our Democracy Act, after 218 Members of Congress sign the discharge petition. Thus far, Speaker Ryan has refused to schedule a vote on the bipartisan bill, and House Republicans have voted seven times to block its consideration in the House.

In July, the FBI opened an investigation into possible collusion between Trump campaign officials and the Russian government. Last week, President Trump admitted on national television that he fired FBI Director James Comey to try to stop his investigation into Trump-Russia ties. On Monday, we learned the President compromised highly classified intelligence to the Russians and jeopardized the security of the American people – the day after he fired the FBI Director.