The Senate Intelligence Committee quietly approved on Wednesday a measure that would require presidential campaigns to report offers of foreign election influence to federal authorities, a move taken in response to Russian election interference in 2016 and one that could draw the attention of President Donald Trump, committee sources say.
The committee adopted the measure behind closed doors in a classified setting, adding it to the Intelligence Authorization Act, a bill setting policy for the intelligence community. The amendment was offered by Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the committee’s top Democrat and the author of the standalone legislation, and GOP Sen. Susan Collins of Maine. It passed 8-7, with Collins joining the panel’s seven Democrats.
.
Warner introduced the legislation last year after then-special counsel Robert Mueller found the Trump campaign had not conspired with the Russians but had welcomed the help that Russian agents offered to Trump’s election.
.
The measure adopted Wednesday based on Warner’s bill would require all presidential campaign officials to report to the FBI any contacts with foreign nationals trying either to make campaign donations or coordinate with a campaign. There were some changes from the version Warner initially introduced last year, such as limiting the measure to presidential campaigns, not all federal elections.
Warner has repeatedly tried to pass the bill in the Senate, but it’s been blocked by Republicans, including .
.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee. After she blocked the bill in June 2019, calling it a “blatant political stunt,” Trump tweeted his appreciation for her efforts.
Best in Moderation
Article URL : https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/03/politics/senate-intelligence-committee-reporting-foreign-election-help/index.html