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Connecticut House Delegation Joins More Than 170 Members in Co-Sponsoring Bill to Investigate Foreign Interference in U.S. Elections

January 7, 2017

Legislation comes as landmark report from the U.S. intelligence community confirms Russia’s involvement in the 2016 election

WASHINGTON, DC — This week, U.S. Representatives John Larson (CT-01), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03),Jim Himes (CT-04), and Elizabeth Esty (CT-05) cosponsored the Protecting Our Democracy Act, legislation that would establish an independent, bipartisan commission to investigate foreign interference in the 2016 election. The legislation comes the same day that the United States intelligence community released a landmark report regarding foreign interference in last year's election, confirming Russia's involvement.

"The cornerstone of American democracy is our electoral process, where the people make informed decisions to elect leaders to serve and represent them. Today's report from the intelligence community is unmistakable in its conclusion that Russia and Vladimir Putin specifically, ‘sought to undermine public faith in the U.S. democratic process' and that Russian actors had ‘a clear preference' for Donald Trump," said the House Members. "Any interference of this magnitude by a foreign government must be taken extremely seriously. Congress must ensure that our elections are fair and free of malicious foreign interference, and that the Russian government is held responsible. We urge Speaker Ryan and Majority Leader McConnell to immediately bring the Protecting Our Democracy Act up for a vote."

The Protecting Our Democracy Act would create a 12-member, bipartisan, independent commission empowered to interview witnesses, obtain documents, issue subpoenas, and receive public testimony to examine attempts by the Russian government or others to use electronic means to influence, interfere with, or undermine trust in last year's U.S. elections. The commission would examine any similar efforts by any other foreign governments or entities and would issue a final report with recommendations to Congress and the President within 18 months of enactment.