House panel backs sending transcripts to Mueller

WASHINGTON (AP) – The House Intelligence Committee has voted to send more than 50 interview transcripts from its now-closed Russia investigation to special counsel Robert Mueller.

Republican Reps. Michael Conaway of Texas and Chris Stewart of Utah said the panel backed sending the transcripts to Mueller during a closed-door session Wednesday. It is unclear if the special counsel requested the documents.

The panel’s new Democratic chairman, California Rep. Adam Schiff, has long said that sending Mueller the transcripts would be one of his first actions. Two associates of President Donald Trump have already been charged with lying to the committee, and Schiff has said Mueller should consider whether additional perjury charges are warranted.

Trump’s former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, and a longtime adviser, Roger Stone, have been charged with lying to the panel.