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McConnell says Congress will probe Russian election hack

WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Monday that two Senate committees will investigate CIA allegations that Russia deployed hackers to disrupt the American presidential election to help President-elect Donald Trump and hurt Democrat Hillary Clinton.

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 12: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell speaks to reporters during a news conference at the Capitol, December 12, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Monday that two Senate committees will investigate CIA allegations that Russia deployed hackers to disrupt the American presidential election to help President-elect Donald Trump and hurt Democrat Hillary Clinton.

He said the Senate Intelligence Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee will conduct bipartisan reviews.

"Obviously, any foreign breach of our cybersecurity measures is disturbing and I strongly condemn any such efforts," McConnell, R-Ky., said in a statement that he read to reporters at a news conference at the U.S. Capitol.

He said he agrees with incoming Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Armed Services Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., and Intelligence Chairman Richard Burr, R-N.C., that possible Russian interference in the U.S. election "cannot be a partisan issue."

"Let me remind all of you that the Senate Intelligence Committee — on which I and the chairman of the Armed Services Committee sit as ex officio members — is more than capable of conducting a complete review of this matter," McConnell said. "And Senator Schumer will soon join us on that committee and he can review this matter through the regular order."

"I have every confidence in Chairman Burr that he will review this matter in a responsible manner," he continued. "The Obama administration is also now launching a review, and when the Office of the Director of National Intelligence completes its review, there will be additional information released to the public in a responsible manner."

He said McCain's committee will focus on cybersecurity issues and the threat that America faces from cyber attacks.

McConnell emphasized that he has faith in the CIA and the entire U.S. intelligence community. Trump has dismissed the CIA's analysis of Russian involvement in the election as "ridiculous."

"Let me say that I have the highest confidence in the intelligence community, and especially the Central Intelligence Agency," McConnell said. "The CIA is filled with selfless patriots, many of whom anonymously risk their lives for the American people."

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