Letter to Senator Bob Corker, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee - Call for Senate Hearing on Russian Interference in Recent Elections

Letter

Chairman Corker and Ranking Member Cardin,

As Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe, I am writing to follow up on my September 13 letter which urged you to schedule a hearing as soon as possible to consider the foreign policy implications of Russia's interference in our national elections.

My previous letter highlighted the U.S. Intelligence Community's investigation into allegations of Russian hacking. As you know, on October 7, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Department of Homeland Security stated that "the U.S. Intelligence Community is confident that the Russian Government directed the recent compromises of e-mails from U.S. persons and institutions, including from U.S. political organizations," and that "these thefts and disclosures are intended to interfere with the U.S. election process." Recent independent analysis has also drawn attention to concerted Russian efforts to promote so-called "fake news" relevant to the Presidential race in the run up to the election.

These Russian actions are unprecedented in our post-Cold War relationship and have rightfully drawn bipartisan condemnation and prompted bipartisan calls for Congressional hearings. The seriousness of Russia's behavior and its relevance to the Foreign Relations Committee merit a full committee hearing on this issue, perhaps supplemented by a classified briefing. Such a hearing would benefit both the members of the committee and the constituents they represent as we collectively consider how best to respond to these unacceptable violations of our democracy.

I greatly appreciate your timely attention to this serious issue.

Sincerely,

Jeanne Shaheen

United States Senator

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