Hirono Demands Russia Inquiry

Count Mazie Hirono of Hawaii among a growing number of members of Congress who want to know more — much more — about Russia’s role in the 2016 presidential election.

It comes in the wake of reports that the CIA believes there is evidence that Russia tried to influence the election to favor Republican Donald Trump. Hirono was an avid supporter of Democrat Hillary Clinton.

On Tuesday Hirono called for an independent, bipartisan, congressional inquiry into the matter.

“The Intelligence Community’s assessment that Russia intended to interfere in the 2016 U.S. election is deeply disturbing,” Hirono said in a press release. “Last month I joined my colleagues on the Senate Intelligence Committee in writing a letter to urge President Obama to de-classify information about Russian interference.”

Hirono, a Democrat who is a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, identified six core questions:

• To what extent were computer systems at U.S. national party committees compromised?
• To what extent was information stolen from those computer systems disclosed?
• Was information leaked from both political party organizations equally – and if not, why not?
• Did staff members of the presidential campaigns have any contact with Russian officials or Wikileaks during the campaign?
• To what degree are Russian president Vladimir Putin or other high-ranking officials personally involved in directing these Russian activities?
• How do we prevent Russia from interfering in future U.S. elections?

Said Hirono, “The American people deserve to know as much as possible about Russia’s attacks on our democratic institutions. This is something he can and should do quickly.”