House Intel chair rejects call for new Russia probe

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) is rejecting bipartisan calls for his panel to open a new investigation into allegations that Russia interfered with the U.S. presidential election with the intention of helping elect Donald Trump.

In a Monday statement, Nunes argued that new probes “would duplicate” his committee’s efforts and pointed to its “vigorous oversight” of current investigations into cyber attacks connected to the campaign.

“As the FBI, CIA, and other elements of the Intelligence Community continue their investigations into these attacks, the House Intelligence Committee will remain a vigilant monitor of their efforts,” Nunes said. “We will also closely oversee the production of the report on these attacks requested by President Obama to ensure its analytical integrity.”

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“At this time I do not see any benefit in opening further investigations, which would duplicate current committee oversight efforts and Intelligence Community inquiries.”

Nunes did request that the CIA and FBI give his committee briefings on alleged Russian interference no later than Friday, the chairman said in a letter to Director of National Intelligence James Clapper on Monday night.

Earlier on Monday, Senate Majority Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said the Senate Intelligence Committee should take the lead on investigating the CIA’s findings that the Russian government meddled in the election.

He rejected calls for a special select committee to review the allegations, despite support from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and incoming Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

“We’re going to follow the regular order. It’s an important subject and we intend to review it on a bipartisan basis,” McConnell said when asked if he’d support a special bipartisan commission.

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said on Monday he backs a possible investigation, but also rejects special panel, emphasizing the integrity of the vote.

“As we work to protect our democracy from foreign influence, we should not cast doubt on the clear and decisive outcome of this election,” Ryan said.

President-elect Trump has dismissed as a “conspiracy theory” the CIA-backed allegation that Moscow sought to meddle for his benefit in last month’s election.