Pelosi Statement on Discharge Petition to Force Vote on Independent, Outside Trump-Russia Commission

May 17, 2017

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement as House Democrats filed a discharge petition to force a vote on H.R. 356, the Protecting Our Democracy Act, bipartisan legislation establishing an outside, independent commission to investigate President Trump's ties to Russia and possible collusion to interfere in the election:

"Every day, the President's actions spotlight the urgent need for a full, independent investigation of the Trump-Russia connection. Yet Speaker Ryan and House Republicans have refused to allow a vote to create the independent, outside commission the American people deserve to pursue the truth of the Trump-Russia connection without political meddling.

"The inaction of the Republican Congress in the face of the President's appalling conduct is unacceptable. Today, Democrats are moving to force a vote on the bipartisan legislation establishing an independent outside commission to investigate the Trump-Russia connection and the possibility of collusion to interfere in the election. Republicans in Congress must decide whether they will be accomplices to the President's abuses, or whether they will honor their oath to the Constitution

"If the President has nothing to hide, then he should welcome independent investigations to remove all doubt of a cover-up. The American people deserve the truth."