Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for A Lasting Democracy Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Chair, I want to recognize, first, the hard work of Chairwoman Lofgren. Your hard work and your leadership on this important issue and the underlying bill. It is clear that our foreign adversaries have and will continue to interfere and influence our elections and attempt to erode confidence in our government and destroy our democratic system.

The Mueller report made clear that the Russian Government interfered in the 2016 Presidential election in a sweeping and systematic fashion. And Mr. Mueller testified earlier this year that many more countries have developed misinformation campaigns since 2016 targeted at the United States, our democracy, and our system of elections.

Facebook on Monday disclosed that it had taken down four new foreign interference operations originating from Iran and Russia. Soliciting or accepting foreign interference doesn't just violate our democratic norms; it clearly violates our laws.

Yet, in June, President Trump said there would be nothing wrong with accepting from a foreign government incriminating information about an opponent and saw no reason--the President saw no reason--to call the FBI if it were to happen.

He went one step further and said it was wrong for FBI Director Chris Wray to say that public officials or campaigns should contact the FBI if they are contacted by other nations seeking to influence or interfere with our elections.

The President's remarks mirrored one given by his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who also said he was not sure he would call the FBI if a foreign government offered damaging information about a political foe.

That is why it is critical that we pass this legislation, to protect the integrity of our elections.

The underlying bill requires public officials, candidates, and campaigns to report to the FBI when foreign governments and their agents contact them and holds them responsible when they fail to report.

Madam Chair, my amendment strengthens this legislation by requiring the FBI to confirm receipt of any notification of possible foreign interference operations.

Additionally, the FBI must also notify both the House and Senate Intelligence Committees guaranteeing that Congress, as a coequal branch of government, is made aware when foreign agents and hostile nations are attempting to undermine our democracy.

Finally, my amendment would require the FBI to submit an annual report to Congress related to all the notifications it has received and the corresponding actions the Bureau has taken in response.

The FBI cannot be passive to these threats to our national security but must take decisive action to respond to election interference.

Madam Chair, I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this amendment and this underlying bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

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