But Sessions maintained that his meetings with Kislyak were in his capacity as a senator, not related to the campaign. "The longer there are unresolved questions about the attorney general -- his conduct and his independence -- the longer we're going to be distracted working on that issue," Coons said. Sessions recused himself last week from any investigation of Russian contacts related to the presidential campaign after his meetings with the Russian ambassador were disclosed. The Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a question about why Sessions' letter did not address his written response to Leahy. Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley thanked Sessions for his letter, saying it helped to "clear up confusion."

Source: CNN March 06, 2017 22:37 UTC