WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement regarding reports that the Administration is negotiating the return of Russian spy compounds:

“Russia should face stiff consequences for interfering with last year’s election, but the Trump Administration instead apparently wants to reward Putin and sweep his attack on our democracy under the rug. Seizing two spy houses should have only been the start of our response to Russia, and House Democrats have been ready for months to dole out a tougher punishment to those who undermined American democracy. That’s what countries do when they’re attacked. But President Trump treats Russia with kid gloves again and again, fueling my worst fears about his ties to Putin. If the Administration returns these two compounds to Russia, the American people will demand answers.”

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