Count Mazie Hirono of Hawaii among a growing number of members of Congress who want to know more — much more — about Russia’s role in the 2016 presidential election.

It comes in the wake of reports that the CIA believes that Russia tried to influence the election to favor Republican Donald Trump. Hirono was an avid supporter of Democrat Hillary Clinton.

On Tuesday Hirono聽called for an聽independent, bipartisan, congressional inquiry into the matter.

Senator Mazie Hirono speaks on 2nd Day Hawaii State Democratic Convention held at the Sheraton. 29 may 2016.
Sen. Mazie Hirono at the Hawaii State Democratic Convention in May. Cory Lum/Civil Beat

鈥淭he Intelligence Community鈥檚 assessment that Russia intended to interfere in the 2016 U.S. election is deeply disturbing,鈥 Hirono said in a press release. 鈥淟ast month I joined my colleagues on the Senate Intelligence Committee in writing a letter to urge President Obama to de-classify information about Russian interference.”

Hirono, a Democrat who is a聽member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, identified six core questions:

  • To what extent were computer systems at U.S. national party committees compromised?
  • To what extent was information stolen from those computer systems disclosed?
  • Was information leaked from both political party organizations equally 鈥 and if not, why not?
  • Did staff members of the presidential campaigns have any contact with Russian officials or Wikileaks during the campaign?
  • To what degree are Russian president Vladimir Putin or other high-ranking officials personally involved in directing these Russian activities?
  • How do we prevent Russia from interfering in future U.S. elections?

Said Hirono, “The American people deserve to know as much as possible about Russia鈥檚 attacks on our democratic institutions. This is something he can and should do quickly.”

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