Rep. Eric Swalwell (D., Calif.) said Wednesday on MSNBC that the Russia investigation is distracting Congress from domestic legislation.
Swalwell cited former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson to say that the investigation is diverting attention away from health care. Swalwell blamed President Donald Trump for bringing an outsized focus on Russia.
"One of the most remarkable things that Jeh Johnson said today was that the cost of Russia's attack is that we are talking about its interference in the campaign today rather than focusing on, he said, health care," Swalwell said.
"The very fact that we have to ask if the president accepts that Russia interfered in our election, we shouldn't have to ask that," Swalwell said. "He should have already acted on that so we can get onto this other business, so the cost of what Russia did and the president's obstruction of these investigations is everyday Americans' concerns."
Host Katy Tur brought up the issue in regards to Congresswoman-elect Karen Handel's (R.) victory over Democrat Jon Ossoff on Tuesday in Georgia's special election. Swalwell had tweeted that night about carrying on Democrats' agenda after Ossoff's defeat.
Losing a House seat sucks. But losing your job, health care, or opportunity for your kids' future is worse. Back on the field tomorrow.
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) June 21, 2017
Swalwell has spoken to the media repeatedly about the Russia investigation. He also complained that the probe distracted Congress during an appearance Monday on CNN's "Situation Room" with Wolf Blitzer.
"What worries me the most, Wolf, is the cost of the chaos of Russia's interference is that it's prevented Congress from acting on behalf of people's jobs, their health care, and their kids," Swalwell said Monday.