[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 146 (Thursday, September 19, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H5454-H5455]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         RUSSIAN DISINFORMATION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Quigley) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, it is not surprising, but I disagree with 
my colleagues on the other side of the aisle on a myriad of issues, but 
that is okay. At times, disagreement is important.
  Only speaking with those who agree with us insulates us from ideas 
that may challenge our views, instead reaffirming our own biases and 
avoiding new ideas. A two-party system is important.

[[Page H5455]]

  Hearing different perspectives and different stories is valuable, 
especially in a body tasked with making decisions for a diverse set of 
people. Despite our various policy or personal disagreements, we should 
agree on this: It is dangerous to repeat Kremlin talking points. Since 
Russia's invasion of Ukraine, we have only seen this disturbing trend 
grow.
  An indictment filed this month alleges that Russian state media 
employees funneled $10 million to a Tennessee-based media company, 
Tenant, for Russian friendly content. Tenant's media influencers have a 
collective 7 million subscribers on YouTube and more than 7 million 
followers on X.
  While we are no stranger to Russian misinformation campaigns, they 
are clearly adapting and evolving in their efforts. This month, 
intelligence officials said that Russia's activities are more 
sophisticated than in previous cycles. They are using authentic U.S. 
voices to launder Russian Government propaganda and spread socially 
divisive narratives through major social media.
  Their goal is simple: to convince millions of people that Russia's 
war against Ukraine is justified and influence them to support 
politicians who agree. It is simple, and, in today's online obsessed 
world, it is dangerously effective.
  Once this type of content takes off, it is impossible to reverse its 
course. Russia's ability to penetrate American minds goes beyond social 
media. Yes, we have seen it take hold in this very body. When some 
across the aisle vocally opposed aid to Ukraine, Russia celebrated. The 
host of a Kremlin-run show said: ``Well done, Republicans. That is good 
for us.''
  Earlier this year, a prominent Republican in leadership acknowledged 
this trend saying: ``We see directly coming from Russia . . . 
communications that are anti-Ukraine and pro-Russia messages, some of 
which we even hear being uttered on the House floor.''
  Another Republican admitted Russian propaganda has ``infected a good 
chunk'' of this party's base.
  Despite our differences, the quoted Members and I clearly see how 
alarming this is. As public servants, it is our duty to obtain 
information from reliable sources and speak on behalf of our 
constituents, not the Russian Federation. When American leaders parrot 
Russian talking points, we give Putin the upper hand, we undermine our 
national security, and we fail the American people.
  Now, as Russia's tactics evolve, we have to be more vigilant than 
ever. Despite what some might suggest, Vladimir Putin is a vicious 
tyrant, and American voices repeating his lies is an affront to our 
values as a nation and a threat to global democracy.
  I encourage commonsense leaders, especially those across the aisle, 
to choose truth. We may not have control of the misinformation that 
appears online or the influencers who knowingly serve as Russia's 
``useful idiots,'' but we do have control over our own words.
  When Members are spouting blatant lies from the Kremlin, my 
colleagues have a responsibility to this country to place the truth 
above all else. Members have a responsibility to tell the American 
people why we support Ukraine and not Russia, and why democracy must 
win against autocracy. To those afraid of name-calling or condemnation, 
I say this: Criticism is a small price to pay for the preservation of 
truth. Years from now, my colleagues and our country will thank us for 
our courage to stand up for the truth in the face of tyranny.

                          ____________________