Rep. Deutch Presses Speaker to Call Vote on Bipartisan Russia Sanctions Bill

Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22), Ranking Member of the House Ethics Committee, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, took to the House floor today to demand that Speaker Ryan bring up a vote on the bipartisan Russia sanctions bill that overwhelmingly passed the Senate 98-2.

Congressman Deutch reminded his colleagues that the American people are watching the inaction, saying that the Speaker "and the rest of this majority in the House will carry the weight of our failure to stand up to Russia back to your districts in August, and no one will understand how it is that you show weakness when it is strength that is required in the face of Russian aggression."

Congressman Deutch's speech is transcribed below and can be viewed by clicking the image.

Mr. Speaker,

Inaction from this House leaves us open to Russian cyberattacks against our democracy, and the numbers tell the story.

Sixteen months since Russians attacked, this House stands mute.

Eleven months since all four major U.S. intelligence agencies confirmed Putin’s direct involvement, and we’ve done nothing.

Eight Russians and Trump advisers met to discuss illegal Russian government assistance to the Trump campaign.

Three hours of face to face meetings between President Trump and Putin; one of those hours with absolutely no accountability to the American people.

And 98 out of 100 United States Senators voted in favor of new Russian sanctions 34 days ago.

And finally, zero.

Zero action from this House to fight back.

Zero show of bipartisanship that mirrors our Senate counterparts.

Zero votes on the House floor to send the sanctions bill to the president.

Mr. Speaker, if you allow us to vote on this bill, it will pass with overwhelming bipartisan support.

And if you do not allow us to get Russia sanctions to the President’s desk and put the pressure on him to sign it, you and the rest of this majority in the House will carry the weight of our failure to stand up to Russia back to your districts in August, and no one will understand how it is that you show weakness when it is strength that is required in the face of Russian aggression.

That’s what America expects and deserves.

I yield back.