* 09:55 Awaiting Comey to enter the chamber, Testimony scheduled to begin at 10am *
* 10:03 The chamber is packed with spectators, reporters, photographers, and politicians *
* 10:04 Comey is entering the chamber and taking his seat *
* 10:05 Senator Burr is opening the discussion. He is reminding his colleagues of the closed session coming in the afternoon, and to reserve questions about classified information for that venue. *
* 10:07 “Today is your opportunity to set the record straight” ~Senator Burr *
* 10:11 Senator Warner is making opening remarks *
* 10:11 Senator Warner is recapping what we already know and what we are still investigating *
* 10:12 “We are here because a foreign advisary attacked us here at home … our presidential election” ~Senator Warner *
* 10:13 “We must find out what the Russians did… and why they were so successful” ~Senator Warner *
* 10:14 “The way in which you were fired by the president was shocking” ~Senator Warner *
* 10:15 “There’s a lot to investigate” -Senator Warner *
* 10:17 “Think about it… The POTUS asking the FBI director to drop an ongoing investigation” ~Senator Warner *
* 10:18 “Disparaging our country’s top law enforcement official as a `Nutjob`… the president suggested that his firing relieves his pressure about Russia” ~Senator Warner *
* 10:19 Mr. Comey is now under oath *
* 10:20 Mr. Comey offers introductory remarks *
* 10:21 “The explanations, the shifting explantions, confused and concerned me” ~Mr. Comey *
* 10:21 Comes says the president was very happy with Comey’s service as director of the FBI immediately prior to his firing *
* 10:22 “The administration chose to defame me and the FBI… Those were lies, plain and simple.” ~Mr. Comey *
* 10:23 “The FBI is honest, the FBI is strong, and the FBI is and always will be independent” ~Mr. Comey *
* 10:24 “Do you have any doubt that the Russians attempted to interfere with the US Elections?” ~Senator Warner. “No doubt” ~Mr. Comey *
* 10:26 “When the president requested that you `let Flynn go?` Was the president trying to obstruct justice?” ~Senator Warner “Flynn was in legal jeopardy… I don’t think it’s for met to say if my conversation with the president was obstruction of justice” ~Mr. Comey *
* 10:28 Senator is asking about the Steele Dossier – Comey is unable to answer in an open setting *
* 10:35 Senator is asking if Mr Comey has any doubts about the Senate committee’s ability to complete the investigation. Mr. Comey is confident that the investigation will continue and be successful *
* 10:36 Senator Warner is asking about the January meeting at Trump tower *
* 10:38 “I was honestly concerned that he [POTUS] might lie about the nature of our meeting” ~Mr. Comey
* 10:42 Senator Warner is asking about the nature of the patronage mentioned by POTUS *
* 10:44 “I really look forward to working with you.” Mr Comey’s account of what was whispered in his ear by POTUS in the blue room *
* 10:45 “The statue of justice has a blindfold on because you shouldn’t be peeking out to see if your patron is pleased” ~Mr Comey *
* 10:46 “This is a very disturbing development… I need to document this and preserve it.” ~Mr. Comey *
* 10:48 Senator Risch begins talking and thanking Mr Comey for his service *
* 10:54 Senator Ricsch is digging into the specifics of the President’s words about “hope” *
* 10:54 Senator Feinstein begins questioning Mr. Comey *
* 10:56 Comey continues to reiterate that it is not for him to determine obstruction of justice by the POTUS *
* 11:10 “The timing of your firing stinks” ~Senator Wyden *
* “Lordy, I hope there are tapes.” Mr. Comey *
* Comey says that the US intelligence community is in agreement about Russian hackers influencing the election. *
* 11:42 Comey refutes POTUS’s claim that he initiated dinner with POTUS. *
* 11:43 “I never initiated a conversation with the President” ~Mr. Comey *
* 11:45 “Who will rid me of this meddlesome priest?” ~Mr Comey’s understanding of the POTUS’s request regarding the Flynn investigation
* 11:52 Senator Lankford says that the president has informed 6 billion people that he is not fond of the Russia investigation
* Senator Manchin says his constituents have sent him over 600 questions they want answers to from Mr. Comey *
* Senator Manchin asks if the president ever asked questions about the findings related to the Russian investigation. *
* 10:56 “We remain that shining city on the hill, and they [The Russians] don’t like it” ~Mr. Comey *
* 10:58 “Release all the tapes, I’m fine with it” ~Mr. Comey *
* 12:04 “Do you believe there was collusion between Donald Trump and the Russians?” ~Senator Cotton – “That’s a question I don’t think I should answer in an open setting” ~Mr. Comey *
* “I’m between opportunities right now” ~Mr. Comey *
* 12:27 “There was an explanation [for my firing] I just don’t buy it” ~Mr. Comey *
* 12:29 “I’m not going to sit here and try to interpret the President’s tweets” ~Mr. Comey *
* 12:35 Senator McCain just said “President Comey” out loud. Things to come? *
* 12:38 “I’ve had a lot of conversations with humans over the years” ~Mr. Comey He’s alluding to “that thing” being a promise of loyalty that POTUS requested, but Comes denied. *
* “We are grateful to you [Mr Comey] for your service to this country.” ~Senator Burr *