Washington, D.C. – On Monday, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes acknowledged that he made a secret visit to the White House to review intelligence documents which he later used to claim that the Trump Administration was the subject of improper intelligence collection. The documents that Nunes says back his claims have still not been shared with the House Intelligence Committee. Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) releases the following statement:

“I have worked with Chairman Nunes on the Intelligence Committee for four years, so my decision on this matter was not made lightly,” said Rep. Sewell. “In view of Chairman Nunes’ secret meetings at the White House and his ongoing refusal to share information with his own committee, I am calling on the Chairman to recuse himself from the Intelligence Committee’s Russia investigation.”

“By prioritizing his political ties with the White House over his work on the Intelligence Committee, Chairman Nunes has compromised our investigation and called into question our independence. By canceling open hearings on our investigation and failing to share intelligence with Republican and Democratic members of his committee, he has kept the public in the dark. The American people deserve a fair and impartial investigation into Russia’s attacks on our democracy, and for the Intelligence Committee to advance our work, I believe that Chairman Nunes’ recusal will help in restoring integrity to the process.”

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Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) is serving her fourth term representing Alabama’s 7th Congressional district. She sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was recently appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Sewell is a Chief Deputy Whip and serves on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee of the Democratic Caucus. She is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, and Vice Chair of Outreach for the New Democrat Coalition.