SHAHEEN CALLS FOR SENATE HEARING ON RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE IN UPCOMING ELECTION

(Washington, DC)— This morning, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the lead Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security, called for a Senate hearing to examine the evidence that Russia is trying to interfere in our nation’s upcoming elections in November and explore the foreign policy implications. In her letter to the leadership of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Shaheen lists recent alarming developments, including reports that Russia hacked the Democratic National Committee and voting systems in at least two states. Her letter also follows publication yesterday of emails from former Secretary of State Colin Powell on a website with ties to the Russian government.  

“At this moment, the U.S. Intelligence Community is reportedly investigating broader Russian covert operations in our country designed to undermine public confidence in our electoral processes,” Senator Shaheen says in the letter. “These developments raise the sobering possibility that Russia is employing the tactics it has long used to influence elections in places like Ukraine and Georgia, this time in the United States … I believe a full committee hearing on this issue, perhaps supplemented by a classified briefing, would be beneficial both to the members of the committee and the constituents they represent.”

You can read Senator Shaheen’s signed letter here and the text in full below:

 

September 15, 2016

Senator Bob Corker

Chairman

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

423 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-6225

Senator Ben Cardin

Ranking Member

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

509 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, DC, 20510

 

Chairman Corker and Ranking Member Cardin,

As Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe, I write to respectfully urge you to schedule a hearing as soon as possible to consider the foreign policy implications of Russia's reported interference in our upcoming national elections.

As you know, the Committee last held a hearing on U.S. policy towards Russia on June 7.  In the months since, it has been widely reported that Russia hacked the Democratic National Committee and quite possibly also leaked illicitly obtained emails to third party groups.  Meanwhile, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has urged states to improve the security of their voting systems after discovering that those in at least two states have been compromised by suspected Russian hackers.  At this moment, the U.S. Intelligence Community is reportedly investigating broader Russian covert operations in our country designed to undermine public confidence in our electoral processes. These developments raise the sobering possibility that Russia is employing the tactics it has used to influence elections in places like Ukraine and Georgia, this time in the United States.

Earlier this week, as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I had the opportunity to attend a hearing on cybersecurity where the issue of Russian hacking was discussed.  Given the seriousness of this issue and the jurisdictional relevance to the Foreign Relations Committee, I believe a full committee hearing on this issue, perhaps supplemented by a classified briefing, would be beneficial both to members of the committee and the constituents they represent.

I greatly appreciate your timely attention to this serious issue.

 

Sincerely,

 Jeanne Shaheen

United States Senator