Protecting Our Democracy Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Protecting Our Democracy Act. I am very proud to sponsor this legislation, and I am grateful for the partnership of many chairs and Members who contributed to the effort, as well as the leadership of Speaker Pelosi.

Our system was founded upon a respect for the rule of law and a carefully constructed balance of power among the three branches. That system has, throughout history, been tested. Just as, after Watergate, Congress worked to pass reforms like campaign finance laws and new ethics rules, so we must now examine the cracks in the democratic foundation and address them.

That is precisely what this bill does. It will prevent Presidential abuses of power, ensure the independence of our justice system, and reinforce the system of checks and balances.

Specifically, among other things, it would prevent corruption or misuse of the pardon power. It would ensure that Congress may exercise its constitutionally mandated oversight responsibilities and enforce subpoenas in a timely manner. It protects whistleblowers and expands the independence of inspectors general. It reestablishes Congress' power of the purse.

This bill has garnered support from groups across the political spectrum because it is not about politics; it is about the survival of our democratic system of government. Many of the reforms included in this package are sponsored and supported by Republicans as well as Democrats.

I urge all of my colleagues in Congress to support the Protecting Our Democracy Act. The day that we were sworn into office, we made a sacred pledge of allegiance and loyalty to the United States. This bill places our oath to democracy and the Constitution above party politics. This is a moment and a vote when we have the opportunity to fulfill that oath.

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Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Representative Ocasio- Cortez's amendment.

The GAO's expertise and technical capacity are critical to Congress' oversight. This amendment by the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Ocasio- Cortez) gives GAO access to important information in the IC's possession that is necessary for the conduct of GAO's responsibilities while also ensuring the protection of sensitive sources and methods. It strikes the right balance between security, transparency, and needed oversight.

It also imposes confidentiality restrictions; clarifies that GAO officers and employees, like their IC colleagues, are subject to penalties for unauthorized disclosure; and requires the Comptroller General to consult with the Director of National Intelligence to establish protections against such unauthorized disclosures.

In sum, the amendment will enhance congressional oversight of the IC in a manner that protects our national security. I want to thank my colleague for offering it. I urge a ``yes'' vote.

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Mr. SCHIFF. Will the gentleman yield?

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Mr. SCHIFF. Let me ask the gentleman, are you aware, just by way of illustration, that the President's campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, secretly met with an agent of Russian intelligence and provided Russian intelligence with internal campaign polling data as well as strategic insights about their strategy in key battleground States? Are you aware of that?

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Mr. SCHIFF. Let me ask you, are you aware, while the Trump campaign chairman was providing internal polling data, that Kremlin intelligence was leading a clandestine social media campaign to elect Donald Trump? Are you aware of that?

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Mr. SCHIFF. Would you like me to go on?

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Mr. SCHIFF. Well, I am asking you. You asked me to present you with some of the information.

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Mr. SCHIFF. If you would like me to continue.

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Mr. SCHIFF. To get to the gentleman's question, I am aware of President Trump's son meeting secretly in Trump Tower in New York with the Russian delegation with the purpose of receiving dirt on Hillary Clinton, which the Russian delegation represented was part of the Russian Government's effort to help elect Donald Trump in 2016.

I am aware that Donald Trump, Jr., said in response to that Russian offer of dirt on Donald Trump's opponent that he would ``love it,'' suggested the best time would be in late summer, and had a secret meeting in Trump Tower. When asked about that secret meeting, both the President and his son lied about it. Are you aware of those facts?

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Mr. SCHIFF. I am happy to continue to outline the contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia, their solicitation of Russian help in the election, the former President's effort to coerce Ukraine into helping him cheat in the election. I would be happy to go chapter and verse if you would like me to use your time that way.

Right now, though, the subject of this amendment is to allow the General Accountability Office, the GAO, to help Congress oversee aspects of the intelligence community, but if you are more interested--

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