[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 18, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5042-S5043]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                           Trump-Putin Summit

  Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, as we all know, in this country, in 2016, 
the Russian Government weighed a covert, multifaceted criminal campaign 
to interfere in our elections. We now know it was intended to help 
then-Candidate Donald Trump win the Presidency. We don't know the full 
impact of Russia's interference, but it is beyond debate that it 
happened.
  Russia, as we now found out, used inflammatory propaganda--it 
actually was fake news--attempting to suppress Democratic turnout and 
boost support for Donald Trump. They also stole communications 
belonging to the Democratic National Committee and the Clinton 
campaign, which were then strategically released to maximize their 
impact. They were released at times when they could counter negative 
news stories about Donald Trump.
  Just last week, 12 Russian intelligence officers were charged with 
hacking campaign officials' emails and State election boards. In just 
over a year--in what may rank as the most productive special counsel 
investigation in our Nation's history--32 people and 3 companies have 
been charged or pled guilty as part of the Russian investigation. We 
likely will not know the full extent of Russia's interference until the 
special counsel's investigation is complete.
  But what is clear--and this is what should concern Republicans and 
Democrats alike--is that our democracy, our great country, was attacked 
by a foreign adversary. And two days ago, on an international stage, 
standing shoulder to shoulder with Vladimir Putin, our President sided 
with that attacker.
  Instead of forcefully condemning Russia's attack on our democracy, 
its role in annexing Crimea, poisoning individuals with chemical 
weapons on the soil of one of our closest allies, Russia's downing of a 
passenger airline with nearly 300 innocent civilians onboard, or 
undermining democracies around the world, our President offered only 
praise for the authoritarian President Putin. He then repeated his 
conspiracy theories about the FBI and called the Russia investigation a 
``witch-hunt''--denigrating our law enforcement institutions, while 
standing beside the foe they work so hard to protect all Americans 
from--Republicans and Democrats alike.
  In my 44 years as a Senator, I have never seen anything like it. I 
can think of no Republican President and no Democratic President who 
would ever do this. I never thought it would be possible in our country 
before President Trump took office.
  Yesterday, the President attempted to walk back his decision to side 
with Russia over our own intelligence agencies. He attempted to do it 
because of the criticism he got from both Republicans and Democrats, 
but as many of my colleagues told me would happen, President Trump 
walked back his walk back. He reiterated that the interference ``could 
have been other people. There are a lot of people out there.''
  This morning on Twitter--where apparently he does his deepest 
thinking--he claimed that people at the higher ends of intelligence 
loved his press conference in Helsinki. I do not think anyone here 
doubts that the President meant what he said and said what he meant in 
Helsinki. And, after their two-hour private meeting in Helsinki, I do 
not think President Putin has any doubt either.
  We have to know that Russia shares neither our values nor our 
interests. Russia is not our friend. Of course, we want to see improved 
relations with Russia on Syria, on nuclear proliferation, and on many 
critical issues, but for that to happen, Russia needs to respect our 
democracy and values. We must not slouch down to theirs.
  The United States is the leader of the free world. The free world is 
under threat, as it has so often been. But these threats are not 
supposed to come from within.
  Just moments ago, when asked if Russia is still targeting the United 
States, the President inexplicably said ``no.''
  That is not the truth.
  Russia is still targeting the United States. This is despite his 
Director of National Intelligence, Dan Coats, confirming just last week 
that Russia is, indeed, still targeting our digital infrastructure and 
interfering in our democracy. Director Coats compared it to the

[[Page S5043]]

warning signs that emerged prior to the 9/11 attacks, but the President 
denies it is happening.
  I know Director Coats. I served with him when he was a Republican 
Senator in this body. I know he would not say this if it were not so. 
Notwithstanding the President's saying that Russia is not targeting us, 
his own Director of National Intelligence says they are. We can't trust 
this President's judgment when it comes to Russia.
  Remember, the President takes an oath to protect and defend our 
Nation. When it comes to Russia, it appears he does not intend to abide 
by his oath to defend and protect our Nation. This Congress is going to 
be derelict in its duty if it takes no action.
  All of us have to speak with a single voice in this moment--
Republicans and Democrats alike. We should all condemn the President's 
actions, which were as dangerous as they were shameful.
  These condemnations are important, but words are not enough. 
Remember, Congress is a coequal branch of government. Remember that the 
Senate is supposed to be the conscience of the Nation. Let's act like 
it.
  The President, obviously, can't be trusted to keep his hands off of 
the Russia investigation. By denigrating it at every opportunity and by 
dismissing its lead investigator last year, he has repeatedly failed 
the test.
  The Senate Judiciary Committee recently passed legislation with a 
strong bipartisan vote. Republicans and Democrats alike voted to 
protect the special counsel's investigation. That legislation is before 
the Senate. Let's enact it into law. Let's take what Republicans and 
Democrats together said in the Judiciary Committee--that we will 
protect the special counsel's investigation. Let's vote up or down. 
Let's do it and enact it into law.
  It is often said that the only thing President Putin responds to is 
strength. Let's show him that here in the Congress, we stand united in 
opposition to his ongoing attempts to attack our democracy. Believe me, 
they are ongoing right at this moment. Let's pass stronger sanctions 
targeting him and the oligarchs who enable him, who continue to help 
him because they become billionaires by doing it. Let's pass a 
resolution making it clear that if President Trump chooses to stand 
with President Putin, then he stands alone. The European Union is not 
our foe. And President Putin is not our friend. Our allies around the 
world, especially those that have stood with us since World War II, are 
looking at us at this moment. They are questioning whether the United 
States will be a reliable partner in the face of creeping 
authoritarianism, both at home and abroad. Let's show them where we 
stand.
  This is not about politics. It is not about Republicans or Democrats. 
This is about who we are as a country and what we stand for as 
Americans--whether we stand for democracy; whether we stand for 
freedom, including the freedom of the press; whether we stand for the 
rule of law; whether we stand for truth; and whether we stand for 
America. As a Vermonter and a Senator, I know where I stand. It is time 
we stand together.