A congressman who was heavily supported by the insurance industry has recused himself from the ongoing investigation into Russia’s attempts to disrupt last year’s presidential election, the
New York Times has reported.
Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, announced today that he would recuse himself from the investigation. The announcement came the same day that the House Committee on Ethics revealed that Nunes was under investigation because of reports that he may have disclosed classified information without authorization.
Nunes is heavily supported by insurance companies. Between 2015 and 2016, the California Republican received nearly $185,000 from the industry, according to Opensecrets.org’s accounting of political contributions. Thirty-three insurance companies – including giants like
Nationwide and Prudential – made contributions to Nunes, ranging in size from $1,000 to $10,000.
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Nunes has been roundly criticized for his handling of the Russian investigation. Many observers – and Democrats on Nunes’ own committee – have questioned his impartiality in the wake of revelations that he shared information with President Donald Trump – whose alleged ties to Russian efforts to hack the election are also under investigation.
Nunes blamed the accusations of partiality on “left-wing activist groups” and said the charges were “entirely false and politically motivated,” but said he was stepping aside because it was in the committee’s best interests, the Times reported.
California Rep. Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the committee, said Nunes recusal would “allow us to have a fresh start moving forward.”
