The Senate Committee on the Judiciary gave the stamp of approval to a bill that would protect special counsel Robert Mueller from being fired while he continues to investigate Russian influence in the 2016 presidential election.
The committee voted 14-7 to advance the bill, although it is unlikely to make its way to the Senate floor for an official vote. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said previously that he would not bring the bill before the Senate body, even if it received committee approval.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley is adamant the Senate consider the bill, despite McConnell’s commitment to do otherwise.
“Because special counsel investigations only occur where there is a conflict of interest within the executive branch, special counsel investigations are usually matters of great national concern,” Grassley said. “And Congress, by exercising its oversight powers, can help the American people to have confidence that these investigations are conducted efficiently and independently.”
The president reportedly decided to fire Mueller in January but backed down from the move when the White House counsel threatened to step down if he went through with it.
Republican leadership in the House and Senate remain united behind the idea that firing Mueller is a politically risky move. Leadership also believes Mueller should be able to conduct his probe into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election without interference or obstruction.
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