WASHINGTON D.C., DC — Tampa Bay area lawmakers in Washington are telling us their reactions to the release of the Mueller Report on Thursday morning.
U.S. Rep. Ross Spano (R) FL-15
"I applaud Attorney General Barr releasing the Mueller report for the American people to read and make up their own mind. It's time to put this collusion delusion aside and work together in the best interest of the American people."
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R) FL-16
"The Mueller report, which found no collusion by President Trump or his campaign and brought no charges of obstruction, is now in the hands of the public as it should be. Let the people decide for themselves. America needs to move on."
US. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R) FL-12
"After 2 years of investigation, the Independent Special Counsel, who had unlimited scope and resources, came to the same conclusion as two Congressional Oversight investigations: that there was no collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russian government. Further, the Department of Justice has found no evidence of obstruction by the President. As a big believer in transparency, I am pleased the report was released to the public today. The time has come to close the chapter on this highly politicized matter, and refocus attention on the issues that impact all Americans and our community, such as: creating economic opportunity, protecting Medicare and Social Security, fighting the opioid epidemic, reducing the cost of prescription drugs, strengthening our national security, honoring our nation's heroes, improving access to quality and affordable healthcare and reforming our mental health system."
U.S. Rep. Greg Steube (R) FL-17
“I’m pleased to see that Attorney General Barr has followed the will of Congress and released the Mueller Report. After nearly two years of investigation by over 40 FBI personnel including over 2,800 subpoenas, nearly 500 search warrants, and over 500 witness interviews, we have what the President’s opponents have been asking for—the report. Like the initial findings from Attorney General Barr, Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein, and other top officials at the Department of Justice, the report confirms what we knew all along—there was no collusion and no obstruction. It’s time to move forward. However, today, Democrats have made it clear they have no intention of moving on. For the last 2 years, they have refused to accept the results of the 2016 election and their reactions to the report today make it apparent that they will continue to attack the President and his associates. They continue to feed into this circus because they don’t want to talk about real issues and their radical policy proposals that will do nothing but hurt the American people. They don’t want to talk about their socialist Green New Deal and Medicare for All or discuss opening our borders and letting illegal immigrants flood in, so instead they will continue to attack President Trump in whatever way they can. I for one am tired of their antics and think it’s time to get back to the business of making America great.”
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D) FL-14
“Every American should be outraged that the Russian government attacked our presidential election to boost Donald Trump and that Trump’s response to this ‘information warfare’ was to embrace it. While the Special Counsel did not have sufficient evidence to charge Trump or his campaign associates with ‘conspiracy’, the report is a damning indictment of Trump’s contempt for the high ideals that Americans hold for our presidential candidates and presidents. Russia broke the law and Trump cheered them on. The Special Counsel charged and convicted numerous Trump campaign and administration officials for lying under oath to cover up their actions. The Special Counsel also determined that Trump may have acted unlawfully in obstructing justice and the Counsel should explain his findings before Congress. Now, the American people and the Congress must determine the ultimate outcome. For me, the report laid bare Trump’s corrupt, selfish and disgraceful actions. Trump relishes dividing our great country – and I regret that the Russians have prevailed in their goals through him.”
U.S. Rep Charlie Crist (D) FL-13
“The Mueller Report makes clear that the Trump campaign knowingly trafficked in emails stolen by Russian operatives and channeled by Wikileaks for the purpose of winning the 2016 election. Those actions may not be criminal, but they are highly unethical. It is also clear the President attempted to obstruct the Mueller investigation for fear it would undermine his presidency. Special Counsel Mueller remained neutral on whether those actions were criminal, leaving it to Congress to decide on the appropriate course. The actions of the President as documented in the Mueller report are unprecedented, and cause for serious concern. I will be discussing the report with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and look forward to hearings in the coming weeks that will further flesh out the issues at stake.”
As we hear from more lawmakers, we will add their reactions.
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