Bennet: Putin “couldn’t ask for better friend” than Trump

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet said Thursday that Russian leader Vladimir Putin “couldn’t ask for a better friend” than President Donald Trump.

“(Trump is) running down NATO. He’s running down the European Union. Putin couldn’t ask for a better friend than that,” the Colorado Democrat said in a CBS News-led discussion with a dozen lawmakers in Washington.

Bennet also said he hopes that a sanctions bill targeting Russia is brought before Congress.

Bennet also had an animated exchange during the discussion with U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa.

“If we’re more concentrating on the Russians interfering with our elections as opposed to the Russians interfering with our economy right now, and us turning away from our real job of getting people back to work, seeing wages rise again, seeing families be able to be together …” Kelly said. Bennet then interjected. “But Congressman, look: The Russians attacked our elections. We need to respond to the Russians,” an emphatic Bennet said, waving his finger.

“And we need to do the work you’re talking about on the economy. What we don’t need to do is come here week after week after week and do nothing.”

Trump and his administration have been under increased scrutiny this week about their alleged ties to Russia.

That’s after news broke last weekend that Donald Trump Jr. met with a Russian lawyer who wanted to pass on negative information about Democrat Hillary Clinton during the presidential election campaign.