Speaking to CNN, ranking Democrat Adam Schiff said the GOP refused his request to quiz her or her alleged contact Paul Erickson over concerns this would tarnish the National Rifle Association (NRA).
"The Republicans were unwilling…They would not explain why but it was very clear that anything that might tarnish the NRA or lead to discoverable evidence that might incriminate the White House or people around the president – they didn’t want to hear," he said.
Butina's attorney Robert Driscoll said in a statement on Tuesday that she is not a foreign agent and that all the charges filed against her are exaggerated.
According to the schedule posted on the US District Court for the District of Columbia’s website, Maria Butina will face Judge Tanya S. Chutkan at the next hearing on July 25 set to begin at 10:15 a.m. local time (14:15 GMT).
On Thursday, the Russian Foreign Ministry in a post on its official Facebook page said because of the arrest in the United States of Russian citizen Maria Butina a flash mob has been launched to support her. #FreeMariaButina.
Maria Butina faces up to 15 years in US prison.