In a statement shortly after Sessions told reporters he would not take part in any current or future investigation, Portman, R-Ohio, said Sessions’ decision “will enhance the credibility of the investigation into Russia’s attempts to meddle in the election.”
Earlier Thursday, Portman became one of a growing number of Republicans to urge Sessions to recuse himself after the Washington Post reported Sessions twice met last year with Russian Ambassador Sergey I. Kislyak when he was a member of the U.S. Senate from Alabama.
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During his confirmation hearings last in January before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sessions said he had no contact with Russian officials during last year’s campaign when he served as an adviser to Trump.
While a number of Democrats such as Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Niles, called on Sessions to resign, Portman’s comments may have carried more weight because he voted last month to confirm Sessions.
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Other Republicans backed Sessions’ announcement with Rep. Pat Tiberi, R-Genoa Township, saying he “made the right decision to uphold the integrity of the ongoing bipartisan investigations into Russia.”
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