Robert Mueller's appointment as special counsel in the Trump-Russia investigation is getting bipartisan support

AP Photo/J. Scott ApplewhiteSenate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y. arrives to speak with reporters about his opposition to Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch, Tuesday, March 21, 2107, on Capitol Hill in Washington.Democratic lawmakers and a handful of Republicans are praising Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein's decision to appoint former FBI Director Robert Mueller as special counsel to investigate any potential ties between President Donald Trump's associates and Russia.

Rosenstein made the appointment Wednesday evening, saying he "determined that it is in the public interest" to have Mueller, a 12-year veteran of the FBI, take over the bureau's investigation.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D) of California called the decision "a good first step."

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D) issued a statement saying:

Sen. Tim Kaine (D) of Virginia called it a "good move."

Sen. Kamala Harris (D) of California said it was "a necessary step forward."

Rep. Elijah Cummings (D), ranking member of the House Oversight Committee said in a statement:

Sen. Bob Casey (D) said:

Sen. Chris Murphy (D) of Connecticut called the decision "the right move."

Sen. Al Franken (D):

Sen. Cory Booker's (D) statement read:

The move is a big win for Democratic lawmakers, who have repeatedly called for a special counsel to be appointed in the past. House Speaker Paul Ryan said on Fox News that he didn't think a special prosecutor was "a good idea," in the aftermath of Trump's dismissal of former FBI Director James Comey.

However, Republicans, including Ryan, are now supporting the decision.

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Rep. Paul Ryan released a statement via Twitter saying:

Sen. Marco Rubio released a statement saying:

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's statement read:

Rep. John Conyers, the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee said the appointment was "certainly appropriate."

The leaders of the Senate Intelligence Commitee, Republican Sen. Richard Burr and Democratic Sen. Mark Warner released a joint statement:

More from Madeleine Sheehan Perkins:

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