Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan has signed legislation that calls for an independent bipartisan commission to investigate Russian meddling in the 2016 election, making him the second Republican to jump aboard the proposal.
Mr. Amash, confirming a report from Buzzfeed, said Thursday on Twitter he supports California Rep. Eric Swalwell’s “Protecting Our Democracy Act” measure that has the support of 197 House Democrats, as well as Rep. Walter Jones, North Carolina Republican.
“Happy to join my friend @RepWalterJones as another Republican cosponsor of @RepSwalwell’s bill,” Mr. Amash tweeted. “This investigation must be nonpartisan.”
Mr. Amash hinted earlier this week that he was flirting with the idea after Mr. Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, who was leading the Russian investigation.
The libertarian-leaning lawmaker described part of Mr. Trump’s letter dismissing Mr. Comey as “bizarre,” pointing specifically to the second paragraph in which the the president said, “I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation, I nevertheless concur with the judgment of the Department of Justice that you are not able to effectively lead the Bureau.”
Mr. Swalwell’s bill calls for the formation of 12-member National Commission on Foreign Interference in the 2016 Election, which would be tasked with looking into “any attempts or activities by the Russian government, persons or entities associated with the Russian government, or persons or entities within Russia to use electronic means to influence, interfere with, or sow distrust in elections for public office held in the United States in 2016.”
It also will seek to examine “efforts by the Russian government, persons or entities associated with the Russian government, or persons or entities within Russia to put forward, disseminate, or promote false news about the campaigns for elections for public office held in the United States in 2016.”
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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