House Democrats are considering a delay of special counsel Robert Mueller’s high-profile hearing next week because of concerns over the short length of the scheduled hearings before two committees.
The House Judiciary and Intelligence committees are considering delaying the July 17 hearing as they negotiate with Mueller’s representatives and the Justice Department over the hearing’s format, according to two people familiar with the talks. The delay would be in exchange for more time for questioning.
One of the people said the hearing would be delayed a week, to July 24. The people requested anonymity to discuss the private negotiations and because the talks were still fluid.
Mueller is scheduled to testify before the two committees in open session. He had expressed his reluctance to testify, and has said he won’t go beyond the report.
A spokesman for the House Judiciary Committee would not confirm the possible delay.
“At this moment we still plan to have our hearing on the 17th and we will let you know if that changes,” said Daniel Schwartz, spokesman for House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler.