DETER Act: Republicans Race to Strike Russia Before November Elections

As I wrote about Thursday, in light of Trump’s Russia fumbling over the last few days (covered here), and with congressional elections less than four months away, Republicans have rushed to take stances against Russia (see here).

One such effort is a bill sponsored by Marco Rubio and Democrat Chris Van Hollen, which imposes sanctions on Russia for any electoral interference moving forward.

In order to advance the cause sooner than later, the senators are requesting the relevant Senate committees hold hearings in order to vote on the bill by early August.

In a letter to high-ranking members of the Senate Banking and Foreign Relations committees, Rubio and Hollen explained the virtue of the package:

“Given the urgency of the challenge before our nation, we urge your respective committee to work to hold its hearing and for the Senate Banking Committee to mark up the DETER Act during this work period. The Senate has the opportunity to highlight to the American public the real threats that foreign interference in our future elections pose, and to act to deter future foreign interference and defend our country. We are just 110 days away from our elections in November. The time to come together and act is now.”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has also asked the Foreign Relations and Banking committees for hearings on sanctions against Russia which were approved last year.

Van Hollen and Rubio’s petition goes further: they’re setting a deadline of August 6 (the beginning of a 7-day break) for the hearings as well as the Banking Committee’s vote.

And…they’re off — in the race to see who can do the most the fastest, with regard to Russia. As November comes hurriedly toward us.

Do you think the DETER Act — which is surely being pushed through for political gain in the congressional elections more so than immediate interference deterrence — will help the GOP in November? Please sound off in the Comments section below.

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Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen discusses the bipartisan DETER Act that he introduced with GOP Sen. Marco Rubio earlier this year: “The idea is to deter Putin from taking action again” https://t.co/F4E3JR7gdW pic.twitter.com/VF2cEcvp6o

— New Day (@NewDay) July 20, 2018

Momentum building! 8 of our colleagues have joined @MarcoRubio and I in cosponsoring the #DETERAct—@MarkWarner, @SenCoryGardner, @SenatorBaldwin, @LindseyGrahamSC, @ChrisCoons, @SenSasse, @SenatorCantwell, and @ChuckGrassley. Our democracy is at risk, and we must take action. pic.twitter.com/QI8fix0w3Z

— Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) July 19, 2018

Republicans and Democrats unite to stop Vladimir Putin from ever interfering in our election again.

Call and urge your Senator to support the bipartisan DETER act, proposed by @MarcoRubio (R-FL) and @ChrisVanHollen (D-MD)

learn more about the bill https://t.co/YIRE6WT7gy pic.twitter.com/M0dYcE3nJW

— The Reagan Battalion (@ReaganBattalion) July 18, 2018

Actions speak louder than words. I’m proud of my Senator, .@marcorubio, for introducing the DETER Act! Urge your Senators to vote YES!! https://t.co/GpPPws0YFC

— Kim Carroll (@KimGOP60) July 19, 2018

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