Washington, D.C. – Today, the chairs of six committees in the U.S. House of Representatives introduced H. Con. Res. 24, a resolution expressing the sense of the Congress, that when completed, Special Counsel Mueller’s report should be made available to the public and to Congress.
The chairs introducing the resolution during 'Sunshine Week', House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, Committee on Oversight and Reform Chairman Elijah E. Cummings, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Adam B. Schiff, Committee on Financial Services Chairwoman Maxine Waters, Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Richard E. Neal and Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairman Eliot L. Engel, released the following joint statement:
“Introduction of this Resolution is consistent with the intent of the Special Counsel Regulations, and most importantly, the interests of the American public. This transparency is a fundamental principle necessary to ensure that government remains accountable to the people.
“As the Department of Justice made clear over the last two years, DOJ policy permits disclosure of investigative materials when it serves the public interest, even as they pertain to ‘uncharged third parties.’ The public is clearly served by transparency with respect to any investigation that could implicate or exonerate the President and his campaign. We urge our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join us in supporting this common sense resolution.”
When he testified before the Senate, Attorney General Barr said it was important that the “public and Congress be informed of the results of the special counsel’s work.” The governing Special Counsel regulations were designed to ensure “congressional and public confidence in the integrity of the process.” Special Counsel Mueller was appointed by the Justice Department “in order for the American people to have full confidence in the outcome” of the investigation.
On February 22, 2019, the Members wrote to Attorney General William Barr to inform him of their expectation that he will make Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report public “without delay and to the maximum extent permitted by law.” The letter follows news reports that suggest the Special Counsel investigation is nearing an end.