Sen. Nelson Promises Russia Hacking Investigation

WFSU | By Sarah Mueller

Published December 16, 2016 at 5:08 PM EST

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson discussed the controversy over last month's election and the next administration.

The Florida Democrat said Congress will launch an extensive and bipartisan investigation into Russia’s interference in the 20-16 election. A CIA assessment says hackers stole emails from the Democratic National Committee to help elect Donald Trump.

Nelson said President Barack Obama should have released more information during the election.

“Not only the Russian influence, but the specific involvement of Putin and trying to tip the scales for one candidate against the other," he said. "That they did not bring that out was a huge mistake on the part of the Obama White House.”

Nelson is the ranking member of the Senate’s Armed Services Committee.

Trump has dismissed that allegation without offering supporting evidence.

Nelson also said he’s concerned with the pick of Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson because of his ties to Russia and the company’s ongoing contracts with that country.

“What would that do to affect his ability to impartially represent the U.S. in arguably the most important position in the cabinet,” he said.

Nelson praised Trump’s choice of General James Mattis for Secretary of Defense, calling it “brilliant.”