CNN "Erin Burnett Outfront" - Transcript: Interview with Rep. Denny Heck

Interview

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BURNETT: But some Democrats say Mueller's testimony could be the thing that increasing calls for impeachment.

OUTFRONT now, Democratic Congressman Denny Heck who sits on the House Intel Committee, one of the committees that will be questioning Mueller.

So, Congressman Heck, I appreciate your time as always.

So, you know, Lindsey Graham is telling CNN that the Mueller hearings could blow up in Democrat faces. Ultimately, it's not going to change anybody's mind. What do you say to Senator Graham?

REP. DENNY HECK (D-WA): I say it's an audacious assertion to make three weeks ahead of the hearing and before he heard a single word that Mueller gives in testimony. Look, we're just going to all have to wait and see what he says before we reach hard and fast conclusions.

BURNETT: So, I want to play what Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio- Cortez said. She is also not waiting until that time. Here is what she said to our Manu Raju.

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REP. ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ (D-NY): The pressure to impeach grows every single day. And I think that having testimony -- public testimony from Robert Mueller will add credence to the case. And I think is only adds to the pressure once his statements are made public.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BURNETT: Do you agree? Do you think that Mueller's appearance will increase calls for impeachment?

HECK: I think it certainly holds the potential to do that. I mean, as I've said to you before, Erin, the Mueller report, even unredacted, is like having the sheet music to a song, never actually having heard it sung. And when Director Mueller, who's only made on public appearance in two years, actually comes forward and gives public testimony, we will be hearing the song the first time.

And so, again, depending what it is he says and how he answers the question, there is no question that it has the potential to increase the demand or change minds or put people over the edge to call for impeachment or impeachment inquiry which seems to be the more popular proposal in current time.

[19:45:04] BURNETT: So, you know what, to this point I'm curious. He has said, look, it's a 448-page report. He has been clear when he gave the press conference which he said verbally the very words in the report, it did feel different to people. So perhaps you're going further than that process. But I understand that point.

But he did say directly, the report is my testimony, when talking about the testimony to Congress. I would not provide information beyond that which is already public in any appearance before Congress.

So when you say it's a song we haven't heard, maybe it's a song people chose not to read. But do you really think we get anything new?

HECK: Well, again, it remains to be seen. Look, Director Mueller said he wouldn't appear before Congress now he is going to. He said he want do anything but read from the report. We'll see if that's the case.

But as you indicated, I think there is power in him actually saying the words out loud, a human voice not just words, ink on a piece of paper. Additionally, remember, that the intelligence committee is going to have the opportunity to meet with some of the high ranking deputies to actually ask questions about the counterintelligence part of this, the volume one portion of the Mueller report.

So I think that there is a distinct possibility that something will come of this that matters. But, again, we won't know until July 17th.

BURNETT: So, how much time are you spending working on the questions? Are you doing questioning yourselves? Are you going to bring in an expert prosecutor? Have you decided?

HECK: I think it's both. I heard Chairman Schiff say on television last night that the members have opportunity to ask questions. Although I don't know that's been completely finalized.

I know how I'm going to prepare. I thoroughly red the report and especially volume one because it deals with the counterintelligence matters which members of the Intel Committee are more interested in. I annotated it.

I'm going back and I'm going to prioritize the kinds of things I want to ask. But if you were to ask me next, for example, Congressman Heck, what are those things, I would say -- I would be asking him is it true he didn't investigator research whatsoever any potential financial conflicts of interest that the president may have had that would help explain the inexplicable coziness with the Russians?

I would ask him from his standpoint, are there continuing gaps in our national security system that make us vulnerable to this continuing interference Russia? And if he thinks they are, what are they and what should we do about them?

BURNETT: All right. Congressman Denny Heck, thanks as always. I appreciate it.

HECK: You're welcome.

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