Trump Faces Early Test With Republicans Over Russia

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NEW YORK (AP) - President-elect Donald Trump is facing an early test with fellow Republicans over U.S. relations with Russia.

Lawmakers are seeking to investigate purported Russian interference in the November election and question the incoming president's potential pick for secretary of state.

Trump said Sunday that a recent CIA assessment that Russian hacking had sought to help his candidacy was "ridiculous." And he praised ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, who has emerged as the leading contender to lead the State Department.

But two key Senate Republicans -- John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a leading Trump critic -- joined with two Democrats in seeking a bipartisan investigation into the Kremlin's activities during the election. And McCain questions the possible choice of Tillerson because of close ties with Moscow.