Iowa senators back investigation of Russia election influence

Amid intelligence reports that Russian-backed cyberattacks sought to influence the U.S. presidential election, Iowa's two Republican senators said Monday they support an investigation.

Still, neither would venture to say whether they believe that such attacks were aimed at benefiting GOP President-elect Donald Trump.

The Washington Post, citing officials it did not identify, reported Friday that the CIA has concluded Russian intervention was aimed at helping Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Trump has dismissed the notion that the Russians intervened on his behalf. And the Post also reported the FBI was ambiguous about the Russians' intent.

The allegations have roiled Washington and sparked calls for investigations. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he backed an investigation by the Senate Intelligence Committee. Both he and incoming Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., have said any inquiry should steer clear of partisanship.

Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst issued a statement Monday that agreed.

'Any threat to our nation's cybersecurity is totally unacceptable and must be fully investigated, which includes bipartisan congressional investigations,” she said.

Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley said he already has been asking questions of intelligence officials. But in a separate statement, he turned to criticism of the Obama administration and of Democrats.

'We need to get to the bottom of the Obama administration's failure to stop these attacks and determine accountability,” Grassley said.

Iowa's senior senator also said that cyberattacks shouldn't be confused with influence.

'Did exposing inappropriate and unethical actions on the part of Democratic officials actually change votes, let alone change the election?” he asked. 'Congressional oversight can be an effective tool to understand what may or may not have occurred by Russian hackers.”

Neither said whether they believe reports that the CIA concluded the Russian actions were aimed at helping Trump.

U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack, a Democrat who represents Iowa's 2nd District, said there should be a bipartisan commission formed to look into the matter.

'This issue is paramount and should not fall victim to the partisan games that normally consume Washington,” Loebsack said in a statement. 'Congress must act swiftly and hold accountable any actor who played a role in influencing or otherwise compromising the recent election.”

Loebsack also did not say whether he believed whether Russia was seeking to help Trump.