Top House Intel Dem calls for release of Fusion GPS transcripts

The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee is calling on panel Republicans to release the transcript of their interview with Glenn Simpson, the co-founder of the opposition research firm behind the controversial dossier linking President Trump with Russia.

“In light of the selective leaks of Mr. Simpson’s testimony and the misleading manner in which Fusion GPS’ role has been characterized, I support releasing the transcript,” Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said in a statement on Monday.

His statement comes after Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, made the unilateral decision last week to release the panel’s transcript of Simpson’s Senate testimony.

Feinstein made the move after Simpson and Peter Fritsch wrote a blistering op-ed for The New York Times earlier this month slamming the GOP’s investigations into the dossier. They accused Republicans of selectively leaking details of their testimony to the press and demanded that full transcripts be released.

Last week, Schiff told reporters that he does not have the “unilateral authority” Feinstein has, but said he has asked Republicans on the committee to release the transcript.

“We have asked them to do that,” Schiff said Thursday, adding that he believes “they have not responded” to the request.

Simpson and Fusion GPS have come under heavy scrutiny for their role in the dossier, which former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele compiled. 

Some of the allegations in the dossier have been shown to be false, while others have either been supported by public evidence or remain unproven. 

Republicans want to know who Steele’s sources were, as well as how the memos have been used in the FBI’s investigation of Russia’s election interference.

Democrats, meanwhile, say that Republicans are trying to discredit Steele.

Schiff defended Simpson’s November testimony before the committee, saying he “testified in very straightforward, comprehensive way.”

Simpson appeared before the committee on a voluntary basis, a condition that allowed him to withhold from answering all of the lawmakers’ questions. 

The Democratic lawmaker also reportedly listed several examples of when the majority decided to release the committee’s transcripts, according to the report, including the testimony of Carter Page, a former Trump campaign foreign policy adviser.

A spokeswoman for Fusion GPS told Business Insider that the company supports the release of the transcript.