KREMLIN Act

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1617) to direct the Director of National Intelligence to submit intelligence assessments of the intentions of the political leadership of the Russian Federation, and for other purposes.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1617.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1617, the Keeping Russian Entrapments Minimal and Limiting Intelligence Networks Act, or the KREMLIN Act.

The intelligence community is united in its assessment that Russia attempted to sabotage the 2016 U.S. election and that America is not alone in facing these dangers and attacks. In fact, recent reports indicate that Russia continues to engage in information warfare and political interference in the West that threatens the health of democratic institutions within member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, otherwise known as NATO.

Among many examples, the Russian Federation is linked to cybercrimes in Ukraine and Germany, disinformation campaigns here in the United States, intelligence support for pro-Russian Bulgarian candidates, and financing for pro-Russian parties in France.

The bipartisan KREMLIN Act which I introduced with my friend, Congressman Chris Stewart of Utah, acknowledges the active threat of foreign interference on the United States and our NATO allies.

Specifically, this legislation would require the Director of National Intelligence to submit three intelligence assessments to Congress. These assessments must analyze:

First, potential military action by Russia against members of NATO;

Second, potential responses by Russia to an enlarged U.S. or NATO presence in Eastern Europe;

Third, potential areas where the Russian Government could exploit weaknesses and divisions among the governments of NATO and her allies.

Most importantly, the KREMLIN Act recognizes that Russian meddling with our allied NATO countries constitutes a direct threat to the United States.

By providing the appropriate congressional committees with these comprehensive assessments, we will be better prepared to thwart efforts in the future that aim to weaken international democratic institutions.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

House of Representatives,

Committee on Foreign Affairs,

Washington, DC, March 12, 2019.

Hon. Adam Schiff,

Chairman, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence,

Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: This is to advise you that the Committee

on Foreign Affairs has now had an opportunity to review H.R.

1617, the ``KREMLIN Act,'' which falls within our shared Rule

X jurisdiction. I appreciate that you have consulted with us

on this legislation. The Foreign Affairs Committee has no

objection to considering this bill on the House floor. To

expedite that consideration, the Foreign Affairs Committee is

willing to waive referral, with the understanding that we do

not thereby waive any future jurisdictional claim over the

legislation or its subject matter.

In the event a House-Senate conference on this or similar

legislation is convened, the Foreign Affairs Committee

reserves the right to request an appropriate number of

conferees to address any concerns with this bill or related

provisions that may arise in conference.

Please place this letter into the Congressional Record

during consideration of the measure on the House floor. Thank

you for the cooperation spirit in which you have worked

regarding this matter and others between our committees.

Sincerely,

Eliot L. Engel,

Chairman, House Committee on

Foreign Affairs.

Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers and am prepared to close.

Madam Speaker, for the health of our democracy, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan KREMLIN Act, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in favor of H.R. 1617, and I am proud to cosponsor this bill with my friend, Mr. Krishnamoorthi.

The Keeping Russian Entrapments Minimal and Limiting Intelligence Networks Act, also known as the KREMLIN Act, is a commonsense bill that directs the intelligence community to conduct an assessment on the leadership of the Russian Government's plans and intentions, as my friend Raja has said, especially in regards to NATO.

Madam Speaker, with some questioning Washington's commitment to the transatlantic alliance, this bill also serves as a reminder to our allies of the U.S. Congress' commitment to NATO.

NATO is indispensable. As a former military officer, I know firsthand how true that is. It is also as important today as it has ever been. Understanding the threats that the Kremlin continues to challenge to this important alliance is of utmost importance.

In particular, the bill seeks assessments in three areas:

First, any potential military action against NATO members;

Second, potential reaction to the expansion of NATO; and,

Third, potential weaknesses and areas of division against NATO allies.

Learning the Russian Government's intentions in these areas will better enable the United States Government to counter any attempts to undermine this critical alliance that we call NATO.

I thank the Speaker, urge passage of H.R. 1617, and reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, once again, very briefly, this is a commonsense piece of legislation. It is a bipartisan piece of legislation. Importantly, it improves our national security. It improves the ability of our intelligence agencies to do the critical work that they do.

I urge my colleagues to vote in favor, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, I understand that there are two bills at the desk, and I ask for their first reading en bloc.

I now ask for their second reading, and in order to place the bills on the calendar, I object to my own request, all en bloc.

Madam President, I understand there are two bills at the desk due for a second reading en bloc.

In order to place the bills on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I object to further proceedings en bloc.