Following President Barack Obama's Friday news conference, lawmakers and officials appeared on the Sunday shows to parse the topics covered by the president, including his administration’s murky relationship with Russia.
"It seems to me as we've tried to start this relationship several times, that maybe now it is a moment to pause and think about how we're going to move forward with Russia," said Senator Robert Menendez (D., N.J.) during an appearance on ABC's This Week.
Obama noted on Friday it may be time to "reassess where it is that Russia’s going," but added he did not have a "bad personal relationship" with President Vladimir Putin.
"When we have conversations, they're candid, they're blunt; oftentimes, they're constructive. I know the press likes to focus on body language and he's got that kind of slouch, looking like the bored kid in the back of the classroom. But the truth is, is that when we're in conversations together, oftentimes it's very productive," he said.
Menendez said Russia is "unresponsive" to the United States in a litany of areas, such as the situation in Syria, nuclear arms reduction, the rights of gay and lesbians, and banning adoptions of Russian children to U.S. parents.
"I look at all of that and so much more and I say to myself it's time to pause and think about what this relationship is going to be and how we're going to pursue it in a way that ultimately promotes the national interests and security of the United States," Menendez said.
Sen. John McCain (R., Ariz.) expressed similar concerns on Fox News Sunday.
"Clearly, Mr. Snowden being granted asylum is a signal of incredibly bad relations between the U.S and Russia and Mr. Putin putting his thumb right in America's eye," said McCain.
Obama on Friday announced reforms on the surveillance programs exposed by Edward Snowden, but added that a "thorough review" of the programs was planned before the leaks.
"I see no evidence of that," said Rep. Michael McCaul (R.,Tex.) on NBC’s Meet the Press. "I think Snowden came out, leaked this information, and the White House has been backtracking ever since."
McCaul called Obama's proposed reforms "window dressings."
"The problem fundamentally is he's has failed to explain these programs, which are lawful, which have saved lives, which have stopped terrorist plots," added McCaul.
Edward Snowden's father, Lon, said he was "disappointed by the president's press conference" and the suggested reforms to surveillance programs.
"I believe much of what he suggested is superficial," Snowden told ABC's George Stephanopoulos.
Snowden noted he was "not open" to a plea deal for his son. "The only deal will be true justice."
When asked about the president's assertion that Edward Snowden is not a patriot, Snowden said, "My son has spoken the truth. He has sacrificed more than even the President of the United States ... so how they choose to characterize him really doesn't carry much weight with me."
According to the attorney of the elder Snowden, he and the family have a date and visas to visit Edward in Russia.