Hearing On Russian Hacks: 5 Key Quotes From Clapper, McCain Others During Armed Services Committee Event

A hearing addressing Russian hacking Thursday led by Republican senators could cause tensions with President-elect Donald Trump. Trump has largely brushed aside intelligence reports on hacking related to the presidential election, while the Senate hearing largely reaffirmed the idea that Russia had an impact on the race to become the president-elect.

The Senate Armed Services Committee hearing looking at "Foreign Cyber Threats to the United States" largely had a focus on Russia and featured the heads of the U.S.' respective intelligence branches. While the intelligence communities have said since October they confidently believe Russia was behind the hacks of the Democratic National Committee, Trump has been skeptical and tweeted a denial from Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, which published the stolen emails.

The hearing Thursday could put some in the GOP in conflict with their president-elect, most notably Arizona Sen. John McCain, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Listed below are five key quotes from the hearing Thursday, accompanied by who said the comments.

McCain on setting aside partisanship: "Every American should be alarmed by Russia's attacks on our nation. There is no national security interest more vital to the United States of America than the ability to hold free and fair elections without foreign interference. That's why Congress must set partisanship aside, follow the facts and work together to devise comprehensive solutions to deter, defend against and, when necessary, respond to foreign cyber attacks."

McCain on U.S.' typical response to cyber attacks: "For years, cyber attacks on our nation have been met with indecision and inaction. Our nation has no policy and thus no strategy for cyber deterrence. This appearance of weakness has been provocative to our adversaries who have attacked us again and again with growing severity. Unless we demonstrate that the cost of attacking the United States outweigh the perceived benefits these cyber attacks will only grow."

Sen. Jack Reed commenting that Russian President Vladimir Putin really only wanted "plausible deniability" regarding the hack: "Putin may have wanted us to know what he had done."

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and National Security Agency Director Michael S. Rogers​ on whether Assange should be trusted:

Clapper, "Not in my view."

Rogers, "I second those comments."

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper on the scope of the attack on the U.S. election: "This was a multifaceted campaign. So, the hacking was only one part of it and it also entailed classical propaganda, disinformation, fake news."