The United States Senate Intelligence Committee has announced a broad investigation into Russia's attempts to influence the 2016 elections, including links to associates of the political campaigns.

The committee said their investigation will include interviews with both the Obama administration and the incoming Trump administration, enforced by subpoenas if necessary.

"As part of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence's oversight responsibilities we believe that it is critical to have a full understanding of the scope of Russian intelligence activities impacting the United States," committee chairman and Republican Richard Burr and Democrat Mark Warner said in a joint statement.

The committee's investigation comes a day after the Senate received a closed-door briefing from top intelligence officials on allegations of hacking and other activities by Russian intelligence and has the backing of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer.

"This issue impacts the foundations of our democratic system, it's that important," Warner said. "This requires a full, deep, and bipartisan examination."

Warner left open the possibility probes could eventually be conducted by other committees. A number of senators in both parties, led by Armed Services Chairman John McCain of Arizona, have pressed for a select committee to look at Russian hacking, but McConnell has blocked the idea.

Trump has rejected suggestions hacking by Russia or other actors helped him win and has said people should move on from this topic.

The senators indicated some of the hearings would be public, while others would remain behind closed doors to protect intelligence. The panel is planning to produce a public report.