U.S. Rep. Meehan Calls On Attorney General To Recuse Himself From Russian Investigation

U.S. Rep. Patrick Meehan (R PA-7) joined a growing list of Congressional Republicans Thursday calling for Attorney General Jeff Sessions to recuse himself from the investigation into Russian involvement in the United States presidential election. Sessions allegedly lied while testifying under oath that he had not had contact with Russian officials during the election.

The Washington Post on Wednesday reported Sessions, a Trump campaign advisor, met twice with Russia's ambassador last year. The meetings were not disclosed during his Senate confirmation hearing, even when asked directly by Senator Al Franken (D-Minn).

"The American people must be able to have confidence in the integrity of any inquiry into Russian activities and Attorney General Sessions’ involvement would undermine this confidence," Meehan said in a statement on Thursday. "The Attorney General’s testimony during his confirmation has clearly been called into question by news reports indicating he met with the Russian Ambassador prior to the election. Attorney General Sessions should recuse himself and clarify the testimony he gave the Senate prior to his confirmation."

Nearby, Bucks County's Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R PA-8) has also urged Sessions to recuse himself.

In its report, the Post said Sessions communicated with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in July and then again in September.

During Sessions' senate confirmation hearing, Franken asked: "If there is any evidence that anyone affiliated the Trump campaign communicated with the Russian government in the course of this campaign, what will you do?"

“I’m not aware of any of those activities,” Sessions said. “I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign, and I did not have communications with the Russians.”

Watch the exchange below:

Image courtesy Rep. Meehan's office