A US intelligence report published last week found that Russian President Putin ordered an influence campaign to help Donald Trump win the 2016 election 

Murray: “Any interference by an outside group in our elections is a dangerous threat to the foundation of our democracy”

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) joined her colleagues to help push legislation to create an independent, nonpartisan commission to comprehensively investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election. The commission would fully investigate Russian cyberattacks on U.S. political entities and election infrastructure and any other attempts by the Russian government to influence U.S. elections, seek to identify those responsible, and recommend a response as well as actions the U.S. can take to defend itself in the future.  Modeled on other independent commissions, this body would compile all available classified intelligence and open source information, conduct hearings and interviews, with subpoena power, and report its findings to Congress within 18 months from being formed. The membership of the commission would be individuals appointed by the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional leadership.

The legislation complements the call by bipartisan leadership in the Senate for Congressional investigations as well as support in the House of Representatives for an independent commission.

Senator Murray said. "The American people deserve transparent, fair elections – and it’s our responsibility to investigate evidence that threatens that.”

This legislation was originally introduced by U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).

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