McConnell backs Russia hacking probe, but no commission

Sen. Mitch McConnell announced Monday he backs a congressional probe into possible Russian interference in the U.S. election, but he said it would be handled by individual committees rather than a commission.

The intelligence community believes Russia was engaged in election-related hacking in order to benefit President-elect Trump.

McConnell, the majority leader, also condemned any move to politicize the intelligence related to Russian hacking, declining to reveal whether he believes there is any truth to reports that the country acted to help Trump.

"We are going to follow the regular order process," the Kentucky Republican said. "It's an important subject and we are going to do it on a bipartisan basis."

McConnell appeared to reject calls by House Democrats for the establishment of a separate commission to examine the issue. Instead, McConnell said, the panels with jurisdiction over the matter will be spearheading the effort. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., and Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr, R-N.C., will conduct their own probes within each panel.