Congressman Boyle Introduces Resolution Opposing Russian Interference in Ukraine Election

Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02) released the following statement following his introduction of H.Res.249 opposing the reported Russian interference in the upcoming election in Ukraine on March 31, 2019. The resolution was introduced with the bipartisan Congressional Ukrainian Caucus Co-Chairs: Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-9), Congressman Andy Harris (MD-1), and Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-5).

"The reports that the Russian government is interfering in Ukraine's upcoming elections are nothing short of disturbing. Vladimir Putin continues to escalate his illegal war in Ukraine, now attacking the most central function of their democracy. The United States must stand strong with our ally, Ukraine, and ensure its sovereignty is preserved. Every democracy deserves and requires to oversee free and fair elections without foreign interference. Ukraine is no different. This resolution sends a strong message to Putin -- enough is enough in Ukraine."

Last month, Ukrainian security officials accused the Russian government of meddling in Ukraine's electoral process. Ukraine is set to hold presidential elections on March 31, 2019 and parliamentary elections in the Fall of 2019. In 2014, three days before Ukraine's last presidential election, a Russia-based hacker group took down the country's election commission in an overnight attack. Even a back-up system was taken down, but Ukrainian computer experts were able to restore the system before election day. Ukrainian police say they arrested hackers who were trying to rig the results. The attack was aimed at creating chaos and hurting the nationalist candidate while helping the pro-Russian candidate.

Congressman Boyle has been an outspoken advocate for robust U.S.-Ukraine relations since elected to Congress. His Ukraine Cybersecurity Cooperation Act became law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. The bill encouraged cooperation between the United States and Ukraine on matters of cybersecurity and required State Department reporting to Congress on best practices to protect against future cyberattacks. He has also been honored as a "Distinguished Friend of Ukraine" by the Ukrainian National Information Service.

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