Republicans seeks more data from FBI over its inquiry of Clinton e-mails

August 23, 2016 at 11:13PM

WASHINGTON – House Republicans unwilling to accept the FBI's decision to not recommend prosecuting Hillary Clinton over her use of a private e-mail server continue to pepper the agency with requests for more details of its investigation.

Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, leading the charge as chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, asked FBI Director James Comey on Tuesday to provide information about unauthorized individuals gaining access to classified information on Clinton's private e-mail server.

That revelation came during an oversight hearing July 7 that lasted five hours in which Comey told Chaffetz that Clinton's attorneys, who did not have security clearances, had access to classified information.

In a letter to Comey, Chaffetz asked the agency to provide information on whether the FBI investigated the possibility that classified information was improperly accessed by her staff or her attorneys and whether it was conducting any related investigations.

While Comey called the mishandling of classified information "extremely careless," he maintained Clinton did not willfully intend to violate any laws through the use of the unauthorized e-mail server at her home in New York.

Republicans deeply unsatisfied with the FBI's conclusion are jumping at any opportunity to question the agency's investigation into the Democratic presidential nominee while she served as secretary of state.

The House Judiciary Committee plans to hold a hearing in which it will ask Comey to testify in September, a Republican committee aide said.

Before Congress broke for recess, the Judiciary Committee questioned Attorney General Loretta Lynch over her decision to take up the FBI's recommendation to not prosecute Clinton days after she met privately with former President Bill Clinton on a private plane.

On Monday, Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, subpoenaed three companies that provided services in maintaining Clinton's private e-mail server.

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Rema Rahman, CQ-Roll Call

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