[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 74 (Monday, May 6, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S2628]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                             Mueller Report

  Madam President, on another matter, in the aftermath of Attorney 
General Barr's testimony before the Judiciary Committee, it is now 
clearer than ever that the Senate must hear from Special Counsel 
Mueller. We need Special Counsel Mueller to testify because, as we have 
seen, the Attorney General has shown us he cannot be trusted on the 
matter of the Russia investigation.
  After the special counsel delivered his findings, the Attorney 
General took a 480-page document and turned it into 4 pages, producing 
a document so inadequate that it even prompted the special counsel to 
raise concerns in writing--the normally very reticent special counsel, 
I might add. Meanwhile, the Attorney General has speculated, without 
evidence, about the special counsel's reasonings, and he has done so, 
we have now learned, without having reviewed any of the underlying 
evidence. To make matters worse, Mr. Barr also refused to appear before 
the House Judiciary Committee, demonstrating his contempt for the 
oversight responsibilities of Congress.
  The bottom line is this: The Attorney General's word cannot be the 
end of the matter. Special Counsel Mueller must testify. Unfortunately, 
however, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee has thus far 
been far less than welcoming, and now the President has made it clear 
that he believes Mueller should not testify.
  I want to remind this Chamber that President Trump repeatedly tried 
to fire the special counsel, then he called the special counsel 
conflicted and corrupted and refused to be interviewed by him, and now 
he is trying to silence the special counsel completely. For a man who 
constantly proclaims his innocence and the ``exoneration'' of the 
Mueller report, President Trump suspiciously objects to Special Counsel 
Mueller's public testimony.
  Thankfully, Congress isn't subject to the will of the President. My 
friend Senator Graham has an obligation to ask the special counsel to 
testify without constraints. I will continue to press him to call for a 
hearing.