Kinzinger On Russia: 'I Don't Meet With Regimes That Murder People'

CHANNAHON, IL -- During an appearance on CNN's "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer," Illinois Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger called for a bipartisan investigation into allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign and claims that Attorney General Jeff Sessions lied about his contact with Russia during Senate confirmation hearings.

Although Kinzinger (R-Channahon) said there may not have been anything inappropriate about Sessions' contact with a Russian ambassador — calling it "normal" for campaigns to meet with foreign diplomats — he said he declined a request to meet with a Russian ambassador as recently as Thursday.

"I don't meet with regimes that murder people," Kinzinger told Blitzer.

Kinzinger's CNN appearance came amid calls for Sessions' resignation. On Thursday, the new attorney general recused himself from the Department of Justice's investigation into claims of Russian interference, a move that Kinzinger said was the right call.

In a statement, Sessions said he never met with Russians to discuss campaign issues.

» Jeff Sessions Had Contact With Russia During Presidential Campaign: Reports

Kinzinger said he doesn't know if Sessions' communications with Russia were improper, claiming any discussions could have been part of relationship-building and not campaign related.

"These are contacts that are normal," Kinzinger said. "I wish the (Trump) administration would just release any contact that's ever happened just to get them out there."

He also said he's not certain that Sessions' Senate testimony amounts to perjury.

"Is it technically perjury, I don't know, I don't think so," Kinzinger said. "I don't know if that necessarily constitutes ... a reason to resign."

» Jeff Sessions Recuses Himself From Campaign Probes Amid Pressure To Resign

Kinzinger called for a bipartisan investigation into Russian involvement in the election.

"The thing that concerns me right now is that you have some on the right and some on the left that are turning this whole thing into a partisan fight," he said. "We need to be calm and move this back to the middle in a bipartisan way so we can have real answers."

Asked if he agrees with fellow Congressman Darrell Issa's comment that a special prosecutor is needed, Kinzinger said not yet.

"If we’re not happy with the results or we believe this was not done correctly, then that may be a next step … without turning it into just a big partisan food fight," Kinzinger said. Issa (R-California) has since walked back his call for a special prosecutor, according to CBS.

Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-16). Credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images News/Getty Images