AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

Elsewhere in the program, we'll hear from a House Republican who's urging calm while waiting for more of those details. Be sure to listen for that conversation with Congressman James Comer. Right now we're going to welcome California Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell. He serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and also the House judiciary committee. He joins us from his office on Capitol Hill. Welcome to the program.

WASHINGTON — House Democrats had no concerns about President Barack Obama offering to share intelligence about Syria with Russia last June because that decision “was made as a product of consultation between the president and the intelligence community,” a top Democrat said Wednesday.

By REBECCA SHABAD | CBS NEWS

House Democrats have begun circulating a discharge petition that would force a vote on legislation that would create a 12-member bipartisan, independent commission to investigate Russia's efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election.

"Our colleagues are upstairs on the House floor signing a discharge petition, calling on Congress to establish an independent commission," said House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley, D-New York, at a press conference Wednesday.

President Donald Trump's ties to Russia are damaging to national security, according to Rep. Eric Swalwell.

"What concerns me is that the cost of this president's ties to Russia is becoming our national security. And that's a price that we just cannot afford to pay," Swalwell, D-Calif., said Tuesday on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."

Rep. Eric Swalwell said Tuesday the cost of President Trump’s relationship with Russia is one “we just cannot afford to pay.”

“The cost of this president ties to Russia is becoming our national security and that’s a price that we just cannot afford to pay,” the California Democrat said on CNN.

Mr. Swalwell, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, said that Americans may not understand the details of his committee’s investigation into Russia regarding the 2016 election, but sharing classified information is much easier for people to understand.

A second House Republican will back a bill that calls for an independent commission to probe the Russian government's interference in the 2016 presidential election and possible collusion with Donald Trump's campaign, the measure's chief sponsor says.

Rep. Eric Swalwell of California tells U.S. News his Republican counterpart, Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan, is signing on to Democratic legislation that would create a 12-member bipartisan commission to examine Russia's attempts to undermine the U.S. electoral process, similar to the panel established following the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

After news broke Tuesday night that President Donald Trump had fired FBI Director James Comey, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) exchanged messages with two separate House Republicans about the shocking development.

Swalwell, who sits on the House Intelligence Committee, gave the Republicans a similar pitch to the one he’s been giving House Republicans for months: We need your votes to set up a bipartisan, independent commission to investigate Trump’s ties to Russia.

Swalwell, 36, has made his name on the Hill as one of the leading congressional Democrats pushing for a more aggressive investigation of Trump and Russia. In December 2016, he and Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) introduced a bill to set up a 12-person commission for the investigation, and he’s been one of House Democrats’ most prominent voices on television criticizing congressional Republicans for not moving faster.

Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., joins Judy Woodruff to discuss his concerns about the Trump administration’s firing of FBI James Comey and its potential consequences for the investigations into possible connections between the Trump campaign and the Russian efforts to influence the U.S. election.

Article: PBS Newshour

Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif. discusses the investigation of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn regarding his paid speech in Russia. 

Video: MSNBC

From unknown congressional newbie four years ago, to power player on the House Intel Cmmte, Eric Swalwell has become a man to watch. In an interview with This Golden State’s Randy Shandobil, Swalwell acknowledges that the investigation into Russia & the Trump Administration has shot up his name ID & opened doors to a possible run for higher office, including the Senate if Dianne Feinstein decides not to run for re-election. He says Trump is behaving as he were guilty, says the investigation could take years and compares it to 9/11 and the JFK assassination.

Listen to audio on SoundCloud