Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Statement Following the Decision to Postpone the Testimony of Special Counsel Robert Mueller Until July 24, 2019

Statement

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a senior member of the House Committees on the Judiciary, Homeland Security and Budget, released this statement following the announcement of the postponement of the testimony of Special Counsel Robert Mueller until July 24, 2019:

"I am pleased that Special Counsel Robert Mueller has agreed to appear for an extended period of time so that all members of the House Judiciary Committee may have a time to question and I agree that, given the circumstances and gravity of the matter, postponing the hearing by one week is a reasonable accommodation to effectuate this appearance, now scheduled for July 24, 2019.

"As I have long maintained, it is imperative for Special Counsel Mueller to come before the House Judiciary Committee, of which I am a senior member, and give voice to the report he and his office authored, detailing the sweeping and systematic manner in which Russia interfered in the 2016 election, the extent to which that crime was aided and abetted by associates of the Trump campaign, and efforts by the President to obstruct the investigation into the matter. For two years, the American people have looked to Robert Mueller and the Special Counsel's Office to answer two critical questions: whether and to what extent the 2016 election was sabotaged by Russia, a hostile foreign power, for the benefit of Donald Trump and to the detriment of Hillary Clinton; and whether there were efforts to obstruct the investigation by the President. In March, the Special Counsel's office issued its report, finding: that while its investigation could not conclusively establish a criminal conspiracy between Russia and the Trump Campaign, there were over 130 contacts between the two and the Trump campaign welcomed Russia's help; and, given Department of Justice policy, it was unable to charge the president with a crime, but listed ten instances of conduct that could constitute obstruction of justice. He noted, "[i]f we had confidence that the president did not commit a crime, we would have said so.'

"These are serious and damning conclusions, and only Mr. Mueller can give them voice. I welcome the decision to postpone the hearing by one week, until July 24, and I look forward to questioning him about this most serious matter."

Source