Senate panel advances bipartisan bill to safeguard Mueller

WASHINGTON – The Senate Judiciary Committee voted Thursday to approve a bipartisan bill to protect special counsel Robert Mueller from being fired in the midst of the Russia investigation — putting pressure on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to allow a vote by the full Senate.

The committee voted 14-7 to advance the bill. Four Republicans joined Democrats to pass the legislation: Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Jeff Flake of Arizona.

McConnell, R-Ky., said on Fox News last week that he would not bring the bill to the Senate floor for a vote, even if it were approved by the committee.

“There’s no indication that Mueller’s going to be fired,” McConnell said on Fox. “I don’t think the president’s going to do that, and just as a practical matter, even if we passed (the bill), why would he sign it?”

But Grassley said Thursday that he believes “this bill should be considered by the full Senate” despite McConnell’s objections.

“Because special counsel investigations only occur where there is a conflict of interest within the executive branch, special counsel investigations are usually matters of great national concern,” Grassley said. “And Congress, by exercising its oversight powers, can help the American people to have confidence that these investigations are conducted efficiently and independently.”

Democrats and some Republicans are worried President Donald Trump could fire Mueller or Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who oversees Mueller’s investigation.