[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 24, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H7092-H7093]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     PRESIDENT TRUMP MUST STEP DOWN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
New Hampshire (Ms. Shea-Porter) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to read an op-ed from 
former EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman, who worked for Richard 
Nixon and George Bush:

       President Trump's disgraceful performance in Helsinki, 
     Finland, and, in the days since, is an indication that he is 
     not fit to remain in office. Trump's 2016 ``America First'' 
     platform might be more aptly named ``Russia First'' after the 
     disaster that occurred last week.
       Trump's turn toward Russia is indefensible. I am a lifelong 
     Republican. I have campaigned and won as a member of the 
     party, and I have served more than one Republican President. 
     My Republican colleagues--once rightfully critical of 
     President Obama's engagement strategy with Russia leader 
     Vladimir Putin--have to end their willful ignorance of the 
     damage Trump is doing, both domestically and internationally. 
     We must put aside the GOP label, as hard as that may be, and 
     demonstrate the leadership our country needs by calling on 
     the President to step down.
       Trump's sycophantic relationship with Putin is unsurprising 
     given his previous comments about Russia and its dictator. 
     What is shocking is how long he has possessed, and 
     disregarded, hard evidence of Putin's direct role in 
     undermining our elections. According to New York Times 
     reporting, he saw dispositive emails and texts early in 
     January 2017.
       Trump's repeated public dismissals of the intelligence 
     coming from his own deputies is deeply disturbing. Along with 
     his walk back

[[Page H7093]]

     of statements last week, and then walking back the walk 
     backs, it's impossible to keep up, and his behavior warrants 
     a fresh evaluation of whether the President can be trusted 
     with the future of the United States.
       His apologists will argue that the current outcry is just 
     another attempt by moderates and ``establishment'' 
     Republicans to discredit the President. But what does this 
     man have to say or do for his supporters to finally see that 
     his actions are detrimental to the country?
       We must put aside the GOP label, as hard as that may be, 
     and demonstrate the leadership our country needs.
       Trump's avowed respect for the word of a dictator who has 
     spent decades undermining the U.S. and its allies is utterly 
     dangerous. Putin is not our ally. Despite the President's 
     dismal attempt to change the narrative by explaining that he 
     misspoke in Helsinki, the pattern is clear: As a candidate 
     and as President, he has constantly praised Putin just as he 
     has constantly undercut the core of our democracy: the 
     courts, the media, and the FBI. He has a history of 
     discrediting members of his own Cabinet and the agencies they 
     lead. These are not the actions of someone who should be 
     navigating delicate diplomatic discussions and setting 
     foreign policy.
       If the President did genuinely misspeak on Monday, it 
     demonstrates his inability to articulate accurately U.S. 
     foreign policy at the highest level, for the highest stakes. 
     As the leader of the free world--as ridiculous as that title 
     sounds when applied to Trump--his words matter. If he cannot 
     take his place at a podium next to an adversarial foreign 
     leader and stand up for America's interests and principles, 
     he should not be President.
       Trump has alienated our true allies in Europe and 
     undermined the United States' reputation as a consistent, 
     reliable moral force for good in the world. He disdains 
     democracies and admires dictatorships. What appears to matter 
     to him is not what leaders represent but how they flatter 
     him. North Korea's Kim Jong Un and Putin have cracked that 
     code and fan Trump's ego in a way that respected heads of 
     state do not.
       Yet many Republicans continue to defend him. In this 
     election year, opposing Trump is risky for GOP candidates. 
     Invoking the need to choose country over party is an overused 
     trope. But it is essential now.
       The Republican majority in Congress can fully implement 
     promised sanctions against Russia to show its opposition to 
     Russia's meddling in our election. Putin needs economic 
     growth in Russia because it benefits the oligarchy. Tougher, 
     tangible sanctions would weaken him and hurt those who 
     benefit from his power. House Speaker Paul Ryan indicated 
     earlier this week that additional sanctions were on the 
     table. This would be a start.
       Congress can also ensure that the Robert S. Mueller, III, 
     investigation is not compromised. Any interference in it 
     after this week should raise many red flags. The special 
     counsel and his team, who, despite the President's attacks, 
     show every sign of unbiased professionalism, need to finish 
     their work without tampering.
       Finally, even if the Russian efforts to undermine State 
     voting systems were unsuccessful in 2016, this is a 
     vulnerability that may be exploited in the future. With the 
     help of Congress, States must strengthen their processes 
     and security to stop future meddling from Russia or other 
     foreign actors.
       Republican voters, including those who supported Donald 
     Trump, have the obligation to demand action from their 
     elected officials. Vocal opposition is expected from 
     Democrats, but it is Republicans' disapproval that will have 
     the most sway on Capitol Hill and at the White House.
       Those Members of the party in Congress who have stood up to 
     the President should be commended. More must follow, with 
     more than private talk and tepid tweets. Only bold leadership 
     can put the United States back on a path that values freedom 
     and democracy, and truly puts America first.

                          ____________________