[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 119 (Friday, July 14, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E991]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   THE HOUSE'S RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT TRUMP'S REMARKS ON U.S.-RUSSIA 
                       CYBERSECURITY COOPERATION

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                        HON. DAVID N. CICILLINE

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 14, 2017

  Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my distress over the 
House's response to President Trump's recent comments on cybersecurity 
cooperation with Russia.
  The U.S. Intelligence Community has overwhelmingly concluded that 
Russia actively sought to influence the 2016 election through an active 
disinformation campaign, and covert cyberattacks. Yet this past 
weekend, in an act that confounded Republicans and Democrats alike, 
President Trump bragged about discussing with Vladimir Putin the 
possibility of establishing a joint cybersecurity unit with Russia. The 
idea that we would cooperate with Russia on cybersecurity, which would 
necessarily mean sharing some of our strategies, defies logic.
  Naturally concerned by this reckless announcement, this week several 
of my colleagues and I offered amendments to H.R. 2810, the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Vear 2018 to prohibit such 
cooperation. However, House Republicans refused to bring a single one 
of them to the floor for consideration.
  Not only has our President refused to fully accept the overwhelming 
evidence that Russia actively sought to influence our elections, he now 
continues to place our national security at risk by floating the absurd 
idea that we should actually cooperate with Vladimir Putin, who ordered 
this campaign against our democratic institutions, in order to guard 
against future cyber threats.
  Mr. Speaker, it would be laughable, if it were not so shameful, that 
House Republicans are refusing to do anything to even consider 
prohibiting such a dangerous course of action by President Trump. Why 
not let the full House vote on this proposal? If any of my colleagues 
do think it's a good idea to work with Russia on cybersecurity, let 
them come to the floor and explain themselves.
  What will it take before House Republicans take a stand against 
Russia's actions? If we do not do it, then I promise you it will happen 
again in the next election.

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