Gainesville's Collins says Judiciary Committee chair 'torpedoed' Barr hearing

Attorney General Williams Barr has told lawmakers on the House Judiciary Committee that he will skip Thursday's hearing on special counsel Robert Mueller's report.

 

While that's drawn the ire of Democratic Committee Chair Jerry Nadler, Republican Congressman Doug Collins of Gainesville said Nadler gets the blame.

 

Collins issued a statement Wednesday, saying Nadler sabotaged the hearing by refusing to read a less-redacted version of the report.

 

Collins is the ranking Republican on the committee.

 

Democrats on the committee say they want the entire report released to a wider audience. Nadler said he still plans to hold the hearing, with or without Barr. 

 

Rep. Doug Collins released the following statement Wednesday:
 
"It’s a shame Members of the House Judiciary Committee won’t get the opportunity to hear from Attorney General Barr this Thursday, because Chairman Nadler chose to torpedo our hearing. The attorney general gave clear, informative testimony in the Senate Wednesday, as he offered to do more than a month ago in the House tomorrow.
 
"By rejecting the chance to question Attorney General Barr or read the materials he’s provided, Democrats are trying to prolong an investigation the special counsel completed. Ultimately, though, they’re ignoring the will of the majority of Americans who want Congress to move on and secure our border and continue to strengthen our economy."