WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, this evening issued the following statement:

“The Trump Administration had a decision to make whether they would follow the law and crack down on those responsible for attacking American democracy in 2016. They chose instead to let Russia off the hook yet again. The State Department claims that the mere threat of sanctions will deter Russia’s aggressive behavior. How do you deter an attack that happened two years ago, and another that’s already underway? It just doesn’t make sense.

“I’m fed up waiting for this Administration to protect our country and our elections. They’ve now shown us they won’t act, so it’s time for Congress to do more. We should start by passing the bill I introduced with Mr. Connolly, the SECURE Our Democracy Act, which will specifically go after those who interfered in our election. Through that or some other measure, we can no longer leave this matter in the hands of the White House. Russia is already working to interfere with the 2018 elections. This Administration has made it clear it will do nothing to stand in Russia’s way.”

# # #