Doc Hastings: “On Tuesday, the Rules Committee met and reported a rule, House Resolution 650, providing for consideration of H.R. 4617…”

“On Tuesday, the Rules Committee met and reported a rule, House Resolution 650, providing for consideration of H.R. 4617, the Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy, better known as the SHIELD Act, under a structured rule. The rule provides 1 hour of debate, equally divided and controlled by the Chair and ranking member of the Committee on House Administration. The rule also executes a manager's amendment from Chairwoman Lofgren, makes in order 14 amendments, and provides one motion to recommit on the bill. Madam Speaker, it is going to be interesting to watch my Republican friends twist pretzel-like today to convince themselves that voting against a bill that will protect the sanctity of our electoral process from foreign interference is the right thing to do for the American people. Through today's rule, the Democrats bring to the floor a bill that states that those campaigns that are offered assistance from foreign actors should be required to report such attempts at assistance. Sadly, I predict that my Republican friends will vote against such protections. We, as Democrats, say that foreign governments should not be allowed to buy political advertisements in a clear and ongoing attempt to spread conspiracy theories and sow discord among the American electorate. I predict that for reasons undecipherable, the Republicans will still vote against today's bill. In fact, let us pause here for a moment.…”