I believe the GOP corrupt Congress critters KNEW the Awan crap was going on and looked the other direction. There was likely plenty of ‘complicit’ to go around for one reason or another. Congress is too ‘tight’ a ‘club’ for the whole place not to have known at some level, to some degree.
Too many derps among Rs in Congress at that time, and the decent ones were outnumbered, and wanted to keep breathing nice air. Neutered.
Sounds highly likely, alright.