Ted Deutch: “I urge my colleagues to support this entire amendment, in particular, the Jayapal-Deutch amendment to bolster the…”

“I urge my colleagues to support this entire amendment, in particular, the Jayapal-Deutch amendment to bolster the Federal Election Commission's enforcement of prohibitions against foreign interference in American elections. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said: ``Frankly, the United States is under attack,'' and, ``The intelligence community continues to be concerned about the threats of upcoming U.S. elections . . . in 2020.'' FBI Director Christopher Wray said that our adversaries are ``adapting'' and ``upping their game'' as we head into the 2020 elections. The people charged with protecting our national security are ringing alarm bells. That is why it is so troubling to hear President Trump say that he would listen to a foreign power's election assistance and maybe--maybe--call the FBI. Well, FEC Chair Ellen Weintraub responded to the President's comments with alarm, when she said: ``I would not have thought that I needed to say this. . . . Let me make something 100 percent clear: It is illegal for any person to solicit, accept, or receive anything of value from a foreign national in connection with a U.S. election.'' It is true, she shouldn't have to say that, and Representative Jayapal and I shouldn't have to file this amendment. It should be clear to every American that our elections are for Americans to have a say in their government and should be defended against foreign interference. But, apparently, the President needs some clarity.…”