Schumer Floor Remarks: Now that We All Agree Russia Was Behind Election Hacking, Both Parties Should Support Stronger Sanctions Against Russia

“I am very concerned that, thus far, the President-elect, Mr. Tillerson and Sen. Sessions have not endorsed these tough new sanctions.”

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today spoke on the Senate floor about the recently published reports outlining the extent of Russia’s interference during the 2016 presidential election and the need this poses for stronger sanctions against Russia. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:

Madam President, I rise today to speak on a matter of great importance to the foreign policy of this country – our relationship with Russia and the efficacy of international sanctions to achieve our international security goals.

The reports of the past 24 hours are extremely troubling. But one thing we now all agree on is that Russia is behind the hacking of our election. Even the President-elect has now just said it.

That makes it even more important that we not only keep the existing sanctions in place, we institute a new, tough sanctions regime in response so Russia can’t get away with what they did and other countries will know as well that they will suffer penalties if they try to interfere with our elections.

Unfortunately, this morning’s cabinet hearing on Mr. Tillerson’s nomination for Secretary of State is a troubling sign of things to come.

In one breath he said that the invasion of Crimea is a violation of international law, and in the next, he declined to commit to maintaining the existing sanctions regime against Russia…saying he wants to get classified briefings first and then consult with the President-elect.

But I remind the country, as my friend the Republican Senator from Florida did, that these sanctions are the result of past crimes. You don’t need a classified briefing to know what Russia has done in the past. To duck the question, and refuse to commit to continuing these sanctions is tantamount to sweeping Russia’s flouting of international norms under the rug. It says, “go ahead, interfere in our elections again. Nothing will happen to you.” It says the same to China, and Iran, and any other country that might try to hack.

He has also not committed to new sanctions. Just yesterday, a bipartisan group of Senators, including the Senators from South Carolina, Maryland, Florida, California, and Nebraska, introduced tough new sanctions on Russia for their interference in our elections. I support this effort and I believe the Senate should act on it soon.

I am very concerned that, thus far, the President-elect, Mr. Tillerson and Sen. Sessions have not endorsed these tough new sanctions.

The Senator from Florida – not from my party -- also pressed Mr. Tillerson on a series of war crimes committed by the Assad regime and the Russian military in Syria. These crimes have been reported in the press and detailed extensively by people on the ground and discussed at length by my friend the Republican Senator from Arizona, Senator McCain. But Mr. Tillerson won’t even sufficiently acknowledge these violations of human rights and war crimes.

And finally, Madam President, I am very concerned that despite the fact that we have registered lobbying disclosures from Exxon Mobile itself, documenting their involvement in lobbying against Iran Sanctions, Mr. Tillerson said this morning that Exxon did not lobby on sanctions to his knowledge.

This comes on top of recent reports that Exxon avoided Iran Sanctions by dealing with Iran and other state sponsors of terror through a European subsidiary.

This is very, very concerning. And it raises real questions as to whether the President-elect and his cabinet is prepared to stand up to Putin, stand up to Iran, and represent the interests of the American people and defend our democratic allies around the world.

Madam President, my friends on the other side of the aisle have nearly universally criticized this President – President Obama – for his policy on Syria and for not being tough enough on Vladimir Putin. Republicans have always called themselves the Party of Reagan. I don’t need to remind any of them of his famous speech in West Berlin.

Now, it seems, this fundamental tenet of Republican foreign policy, and indeed our national foreign policy for the past few decades, is eroding before our very eyes.

Now, it seems, the President-elect and his cabinet may never address the international security policy challenges posed by Russia and state sponsors of terrorism like Iran and Syria.

If Mr. Tillerson cannot even say that he will support the existing sanctions, what kind of Secretary of State will he be? I’m worried.

Thank you, Madam President, I yield the floor. 

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