WASHINGTON _ Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell condemned Russia's role in U.S. political hacking, but stopped short of saying he believes Russia deliberately sought to sway the election to President-elect Donald Trump.
"We ought to approach all these issues on the assumption that Russia does not wish us well," McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters at a news conference Monday.
"The Russians are not our friend."
Trump has cast doubt on the CIA's assessment of Russian hacking and has repeatedly suggested he wants to see warmer ties between Washington and Moscow, putting the president-elect on a potential collision course with top senators from both parties.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.; Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.; Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., the incoming minority leader; and Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., have jointly called for a bipartisan investigation into the foreign hacking and the role it may have played in the November election.
McConnell was careful not to attack Trump's remarks, but said he welcomed the review through the regular channels of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Others have said a broader independent investigation should be conducted, similar to the 9/11 Commission convened after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
"This issue should not and must not turn into a political football," Schumer warned. "It's absolutely essential that this investigation be bipartisan, wide-ranging, and have access to all of the relevant intelligence so that we can find out how this happened, and how we can stop it from happening ever again."
McConnell is often careful with his words, and on Monday he was particularly circumspect.
He declined to venture beyond the public statements of the intelligence community on Russia's intentions.
"Anything else is irresponsible, likely illegal and potentially for partisan political gain," McConnell said.
And he refused to discuss reports that he was privately skeptical of information from an earlier classified briefing.
"It defies belief that somehow Republicans in the Senate are reluctant to either review Russian tactics or ignore them," he said.
"I have the highest confidence in the intelligence community and especially the Central Intelligence Agency. The CIA is filled with many selfless patriots, many of whom anonymously risk their lives for the American people," he said.
The Senate leader did criticize President Barack Obama's administration, which he said "sat back" while Russia expanded its sphere or influence.
But he also pushed back against Trump's views on foreign policy _ particularly the role of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as a defense against Russia.
"NATO's important," McConnell said. "We intend to keep the commitments that are made in the NATO agreement, which by any objective standard is probably one of the most, if not the most, successful military alliances in world history."
