Shaheen Calls for Hearings Immediately on Reports of Russian Bounties to Kill American Servicemembers

SHAHEEN: “The Commander in Chief has no more sacred duty than to lead and protect our men and women in uniform.”

(Washington, DC)—U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees, issued the following statement after reports that Russia has been paying bounties to kill American servicemembers in Afghanistan:   

“These reports are incredibly disturbing and warrant immediate hearings and classified reviews of the intelligence by the Senate committees of jurisdiction,” said Shaheen. “The Trump administration must brief Congress on all relevant intelligence reports and explain why no immediate action has been taken. It is completely unacceptable for the President to continue to pursue policies that benefit Putin, such as withdrawing U.S. troops from Germany and pushing for Russia’s re-admittance to the G8. The Commander in Chief has no more sacred duty than to lead and protect our men and women in uniform. Russia’s adversarial actions against the United States demand a strong response, not appeasement.”