WASHINGTON, D.C. — As U.S. Senator Joe Manchin prepares for Thursday’s much-anticipated Senate Intelligence Committee’s questioning of fired FBI Director James Comey, he’s considering a barrage of questions submitted by state residents.
Soon after the Comey hearing was scheduled, Manchin asked West Virginians to submit questions to his office for consideration. As of Wednesday morning, the senator had heard from 162 different residents who offered 438 questions.
Manchin and other committee members will have a few minutes each to question Comey about his investigation into possible Russian influence with the Trump campaign in last year’s election and other topics.
When questioned by reporters during a May 10 conference call, Manchin confirmed Comey had sought additional resources for his investigation.
“That’s a fact,” Manchin said at the time. “Comey was seeking more assistance. (It came) with the last week to 10 days.”
Comey has been called to testify concerning reports President Trump asked him to to shut down an FBI investigation into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn’s meetings with Russian officials, which was just a smaller part of a larger investigation into possible collusion with the Russians.
During an appearance last week on MetroNews Talkline, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito said she believes no collusion occurred because no hard evidence has been presented.
“I don’t think there has been any indication of collusion,” Capito said. “I think we know there was influence in our election in one form or another, whether it was social media, fake news or whatever; but I still think the investigation should still go forward.”
Capito said the frequency of questions being asked is enough to garner a response.
“There are all these questions that come up every week. Today it’s Jared Kushner, last week it was General Kelly,” Capito said. “Let’s get to the bottom of this, and that is what I think Bob Mueller will do, and let’s move on. But at this point there is no evidence of collusion and I don’t think anybody has even stated that.”
Special Counsel Bob Mueller is leading a separate, independent investigation into possible Trump Russia ties as well. Capito said she thinks the situation is a distraction from real issues impacting Americans.
“There are still questions, so let’s get them answered,” Capito said. “It is such a distraction away from healthcare, taxes, job creation, broadband expansion, agriculture, all these things we’d rather be talking about.”
The White House originally said Trump fired Comey because he had lost confidence in him a few months before. Manchin said if that’s the case the termination should have happened then.
“He should have fired him then,” Manchin said May 10. “It makes it much more difficult for the administration by waiting until they’re in the throes of knowing now there is an FBI investigation into Russian activity.”