http://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/spy-agency-briefing-contentious-233602Top Intel Dem: Spy agency briefing on Russia hacks 'contentious,' 'heated'
By Tim Starks
01/13/17 01:16 PM EST
The top House Intelligence Committee Democrat on Friday said a spy agency briefing on the Hill about Russian election-season hacking was "contentious" and "at times, heated."
But despite the acrimonious exchanges, added California Rep. Adam Schiff, "it was helpful."
Schiff wouldn't comment on the contents of the classified briefing, but it comes as Democrats are increasingly pressuring FBI Director James Comey to acknowledge any investigations into connections between Russia and President-elect Donald Trump.
The briefing, Schiff said, "was very necessary."
"There was strong member participation and attendance from both sides of the aisle," he added.
Democrats are frustrated with Comey over his willingness before the election to comment on the investigation into Hillary Clinton's private email server, but his reluctance to discuss any probe into ties between Trump's team and Moscow.
This week, every House Judiciary Committee Democrat signed on to a letter to Comey urging him to reveal any Trump-Russia investigations.
Reportedly, intelligence officials last Friday briefed Trump on unverified allegations of collusion between Moscow and Trump aides that the FBI has looked into.
House Homeland Security Chairman Mike McCaul (R-Texas) said he did pick up new information in the briefing, but wouldn't discuss it. Asked how he viewed Russia right now, he only answered, "That’s a great question."
The Hill reported that some Democrats were specifically upset with Comey after the briefing.
"I was nonjudgmental until the last 15 minutes. I no longer have that confidence in him," Rep. Tim Walz (D-Minn.), ranking member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, told the news outlet.