[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.
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