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Mueller hearing might be delayed and lengthened so more members can question him

Republicans and junior Democrats on Judiciary panel had grumbled at original 2-hour format

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler had originally said Mueller’s testimony would be limited to two hours. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler had originally said Mueller’s testimony would be limited to two hours. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s testimony before Congress might be delayed until July 24, a week later than originally scheduled, to accommodate questioning from more members, multiple media outlets reported Friday.

Mueller and House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler have been negotiating the framework of the hearing for weeks and announced yesterday that the special counsel’s testimony, initially scheduled for next Wednesday, July 17, would last no more than two hours.

The hearing set for July 24 has been lengthened to three hours.

Republicans and junior Democrats on the Judiciary panel grumbled at the original two-hour format, arguing that it would sideline many of them from one of the most momentous political events of the year.

Combined with the five-minute limit for each questioner, a two-hour window to ask questions means only about 11 Judiciary Committee members from each party would have had an opportunity. The committee is comprised of 24 Democratic members and 17 Republican members.

Lawmakers have been eager to grill the special counsel about his 22-month investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 elections and subsequent probe into whether President Donald Trump tried to obstruct that investigation.

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