We asked each of California’s 54 members of Congress — 52 in the House (excluding a vacancy filled in a special election on Wednesday) and the state’s two senators — to comment on the Comey hearing. We included links to their Twitter and Facebook pages where you can see some of their statements, plus additional comments they’ve made to other media. We'll update this post as we get more reactions.
Senate
Dianne Feinstein
"I think, for me, it's pretty clear that there was an attempt, by the president, to manipulate the director of the FBI. And to lift that cloud which is the Russian investigation.
The Russian investigation is going to go on. And it's not going to stop. And the president should have known that." (Interview with Meet the Press)
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Kamala Harris
"At the end of the day, today’s testimony was about uncovering the facts, the information, and the truth about this investigation. This is about the office of the presidency, a hostile foreign government interfering in our elections, and the integrity of our government. We deserve answers.
Today, we got some of them — but the fight continues, especially as this White House continues to lie and muddy the facts." -- excerpt from a post on Medium.
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House of Representatives
Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael, District 2)
"From ’s testimony today, it's clearer than ever that an indpt commission into Trump-Russia connection is needed TwitterFacebook
John Garamendi (D-Walnut Grove, District 3)
“Comey’s written testimony and his subsequent oral testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee validate the need for the ongoing investigation as to whether President Trump committed obstruction of justice. Today’s testimony describes Trump’s attempts to secure Comey’s loyalty, which is a completely inappropriate
request to make of an FBI Director. The testimony indicates that the President sought to persuade Comey not to pursue the investigation into General Flynn. And President Trump said he fired Comey because he was displeased with Comey’s pursuit of the investigation into the Trump campaign’s ties to Moscow.”
“There is no doubt that a complete criminal investigation by former FBI Director Mueller is necessary, and that an independent bipartisan investigation must begin immediately.”
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Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena, District 5)
“Director Comey’s testimony revealed a disturbing and repeated pattern on the part of the President. Those repeated requests that Dir. Comey drop the investigation into Michael Flynn raise serious red flags. I am glad that Special Prosecutor Mueller continues to investigate the possible obstruction of justice. We need to know the extent of the connections between the administration, the campaign, and Russia, and if the President has any conflicts of interest that could lead him to put Russia’s interests ahead of our families.”
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Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento, District 6)
“Every American should be deeply concerned about what we heard in the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing today. We are in the midst of a defining moment for our country and it is critically important that we follow the facts wherever they lead. In addition to the work of special counsel Mueller, we must also have an independent commission to get answers for the American people. The future of our democracy is at stake.”
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Ami Bera (D-Elk Grove, District 7)
"Russia attacked our democracy and Democrats and Republicans must come together to stop it from happening again "
"Based on former FBI Director Comey’s testimony today, it is now more clear to me than ever that Democrats and Republicans must come together to ensure that there is an independent investigation into Russia’s attack on our democracy. The American people deserve to know what happened and it’s in the best interests of all of us that the FBI be allowed to fully investigate without any interference."TwitterFacebook
Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton, District 9)
“The Trump administration has created an atmosphere of deceit and suspicion. There continues to be concerning reports and allegations regarding Russian interference in U.S. elections and possible connections to President Trump and his campaign or administration. In former FBI Director Comey’s testimony today, he stated that he was fired in an effort to change the direction of the Russia investigation and to remove pressure on the president. This reaffirms that there are still many unanswered questions about the president obstructing justice in the investigation of Russian meddling in our democratic process."
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Jeff Denham (R-Turlock, District 10)
"I think both the left and the right are going to, I think, describe what happened today differently. ... So I think there will be enough for both the left and the right to talk about for a while."
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Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord, District 11)
“Every American citizen should read former FBI Director James Comey’s testimony. Throughout his life, Trump has never believed boundaries apply to him. Would an innocent person call the Director of the FBI six times and initiate three private, in-person meetings over the course of four months? Conversely, President Obama never spoke to the FBI Director on the phone and met with him alone, in-person twice in eight years. At tomorrow’s hearing, I call on my Republican colleagues to put country before party and to help Congress get to the bottom of what happened during the 2016 Presidential Campaign. History will hold accountable those who are silent."
“Under oath and with America watching, Director Comey delivered an honest, credible, and rational explanation of the unprecedented nine private interactions he had with President Trump. He built a strong case for possible collusion, and clearly exposed that the President lied about the motives behind his firing. He also confirmed that Russia launched a ‘massive effort’ to interfere with the United States election and advised ‘they’ll be back.’ We are at a critical point in history in which Congress has a moral authority to thoroughly investigate and get to the truth to protect both the American people and our Constitution."
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Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco, District 12)
"Former Dir. Comey’s testimony today in the Senate underscores the need for indpt commission to wherever they lead.
"Director Comey’s resolute testimony detailed the frightening reality of President Trump’s contempt for justice. President Trump’s concerted and inexcusable effort to shut down the FBI’s investigation of his cronies’ ties to Russia disgraces the Office of the President.
“Instead of protecting our democracy from Putin, President Trump worked relentlessly to obstruct the investigation of Michael Flynn and his campaign’s possible collusion with Russia. Nothing less than the integrity and security of our democracy is at stake.
“With investigations inside the Justice Department and inside the Congress, we need an outside independent commission as well. It is clear the special counsel must be supplemented with an outside independent commission to get the facts about Trump officials’ conduct and the full extent of Russia’s interference."
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Barbara Lee (D-Oakland, District 13)
“One thing is abundantly clear from #ComeyHearings: President Trump fired James Comey in an attempt to commit obstruction of justice.”
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Jackie Speier (D-Peninsula, District 14)
"Former FBI Director #Comey leaves no doubt @POTUS pressured him, "I took it as a direction. This is the President of the United States."
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Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin, District 15)
"We can not 'let this go.' No one is above the law. Not the President. And not his friends."
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Jim Costa (D-Fresno, District 16)
“Yesterday’s testimony by former FBI Director James Comey, I believe speaks for itself.
“It is of utmost importance to our democracy that we uncover the extent of Russia’s involvement in America’s election process last year. Fair and transparent elections are fundamental to our democracy, and protecting them from outside interference is paramount. Yesterday’s U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, as well as the investigation being conducted by Robert Mueller, are critical to finding this information.
“I believe former FBI Director Comey’s testimony was credible. The Russians for years have been covertly and overtly disrupting European elections, and last year they successfully disrupted our elections.
“The multiple ongoing investigations must continue, and we must follow the evidence wherever it leads in order to discover the facts surrounding Russia’s involvement in our elections. Ultimately, we must protect our election process from Russian involvement – or any other country – which means we must find out what happened during last year’s election, regardless of who was involved. Preventing foreign interference in our elections is critical to ensuring that Americans believe their vote counts.
“That’s why I have maintained for months that, in addition to the current investigations, we need to have an independent commission similar to the 9/11 investigatory commission to get to the bottom of this. The commission should be bipartisan and made up of respected Americans whose credibility is beyond question. In the commission’s final report, I would expect recommendations to Congress and state legislatures that ensures, American elections can never be tampered with again.”
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Ro Khanna (D-Fremont, District 17)
“It’s unfortunate we have to focus so heavily on getting the facts, while we should be focusing on issues like jobs, health care for all, and government reform. Former FBI Dir. Comey’s testimony in the Senate today reiterates the need for an independent investigation, the American people deserve answers. Today’s hearing was a step in the right direction for getting those answers, and I encourage the relevant Senate and House committees to continue pursuing the truth.”
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Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose, District 19)
“Former FBI Director Comey’s testimony is deeply concerning. It suggests that President Trump does not have a firm grasp on the nature of the American system of government, nor the importance of checks and balances. Demanding loyalty from the FBI Director, asking him to drop a case involving the National Security Advisor, and ultimately firing him in an attempt to alter the Russia investigation is a profound misunderstanding of the proper relationship between the FBI and the President. Law enforcement must be loyal to the truth, not to politicians.”
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David Valadao (R-Hanford, District 21)
His office said he was unavailable.
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Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara, District 24)
“Director Comey’s testimony today, that he was encouraged to stop investigating a National Security Advisor, and fired due to his ongoing Russia investigation, is deeply troubling. It underscores the need for an independent commission to gather all of the facts and appropriately investigate Russian attempts to influence our election, including any coordination with Presidential campaigns.”
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Adam Schiff (D-Burbank, District 28)
"Comey testimony confirms demanded his loyalty and asked for Flynn case to be dropped. Did his refusal to do either cost him his job?"
"Jan 26-Yates warns WH re Flynn. Next day, Trump demands loyalty from Comey. Feb 13-Flynn is fired. Next day, Trump asks Comey to drop case.
"Comey: He dangled my job. Demanded loyalty. Wanted Flynn case dropped. Wanted Russia cloud lifted. Fired me. Trump: I'm totally vindicated!"
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Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park, District 27)
"'I need loyalty. I expect loyalty.' Pick one. #ComeyTestimony"
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Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks, District 30)
"At the sitting directly behind Comey. Only one issue I am listening for: Will we hear more evidence of obstruction of justice?
"The GOP is attacking Comey. Irrelevant. He's out of government. Today's issue: should Trump be out of government.
Read constitution. You aren't excused from high crimes and misdemeanors just by driving down the poll ratings of a former FBI Director."
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Grace Napolitano (D-El Monte, District 32)
"Fmr FBI Director James Comey says Russia hacked our election & will be back. Need for independent commission now more crucial than ever."
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Ted Lieu (D-Torrance, District 33)
"In our Republic, there is one and only one loyalty oath: to the Constitution of the United States. Pleased Comey followed that principle."
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Rep. Norma Torres (D-Pomona, District 35)
" “I hope there are tapes” of mtgs. So do we Mr. Comey, so do we.
" is right – justice is blind, shouldn’t be influenced by politics. Clearly doesn’t agree.
"Trump to Comey: 'I expect loyalty.' No, Mr. President, FBI Director should be loyal to the American people not to you."
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Raul Ruiz (D-Palm Desert, District 36)
" hearing underscores importance of a truly independent investigation. Not about party or politics, but the future of our democracy."
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Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles, District 37)
"The President is SO untrustworthy that the HEAD OF THE FBI felt like he needed to get a memo out ASAP #ComeyHearing"
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Linda Sanchez (D-Orange, District 38)
“What James Comey made absolutely clear in his testimony today was that President Donald Trump knew exactly what he was doing as he attempted to influence the FBI Director to drop the investigation into Michael Flynn. Suggestions of the president’s ignorance are simply disingenuous. He is the President of the United States, not an apprentice. There is no other explanation as to why Donald Trump kicked others, including the Attorney General and the White House Chief of Staff, out of the room to speak one-on-one with the FBI Director.
“The testimony James Comey gave today points directly to a concerted effort by Donald Trump to covertly influence an ongoing federal investigation. The country needs to know all the facts developed by credible, non-political investigations. Now it is up to the congressional investigations and the investigation lead by Robert Muller to follow the facts no matter where they lead.”
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Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Los Angeles, District 40)
"'s testimony makes it clearer than ever: We need an independent commission on ! "
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Ken Calvert (R-Corona, District 42)
“The Russia investigations are important, but don’t believe the false narrative that they’ve kept Congress from moving our agenda.”
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Maxine Waters (D-Inglewood, District 43)
"So Comey told Jeff Sessions he didn't want to be alone with Trump. Women across the country can relate."
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Nanette Barragan (D-San Pedro, District 44)
". clearly crossed a line.We need the facts. We need the truth"
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Rep. Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana, District 46)
"Now available: #Comey written testimony for Thursday’s #senate hearing. It’s a must read."
“Director Comey's testimony shows that there is still much we must learn about Russia's involvement in our elections. Finding and preventing foreign involvement in our elections, and whether any Americans were involved is vital to our democracy.”
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Scott Peters (D-La Jolla, District 52)
“It is in all of our best interests as Americans to get to the bottom of Russian interference and follow the facts to wherever – and whomever – they may lead. Vladimir Putin isn’t a political operative, he is an adversary. If we don’t get to the bottom of this then we won’t be equipped to stop him the next time we’re attacked. Jim Comey’s candid testimony gave us important answers and insight, but there is much more work to be done both by congressional investigators and Mr. Mueller. I appreciate the Senate Intelligence Committee’s work, and continue to support empaneling a bipartisan, independent commission to investigate Russian interference, free from the partisan and jurisdictional restrictions in Congress.”
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Susan Davis (D-San Diego, District 53)
“Today we confirmed the President’s disturbing behavior into the Flynn/Russia investigation. With each passing day, it’s clear we need to dig deeper. In addition to the investigations by Congress and the Special Counsel, we need an independent commission to get to the truth for the American people.”
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