I 
115TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5910 
To strengthen the United States response to Russian interference, and for 
other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 22, 2018 
Mrs. DEMINGS (for herself, Mr. TED LIEU of California, and Ms. STEFANIK) 
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, 
Intelligence (Permanent Select), Oversight and Government Reform, and 
Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within 
the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To strengthen the United States response to Russian 
interference, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Defend Against Rus-
sian Disinformation and Aggression Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
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(1) According an Intelligence Community As-
sessment dated January 6, 2017, Russia engages in 
attacks of disinformation to advance its longstanding 
desire to undermine the United States-led demo-
cratic order, the promotion of which Putin and other 
senior Russian leaders view as a threat to Russia 
and to Putin’s administration. 
(2) According to the indictment issued by the 
Attorney General on February 16, 2018, Russia 
interfered in the United States presidential election 
in 2016 and continues to conduct disinformation ef-
forts designed to undermine the United States. 
(3) In addition to the allegations regarding 
Russian disinformation efforts in that indictment, 
according to Robert Blackwill and Phil Gordon of 
the Council on Foreign Relations, in 2016, Russia 
used its domestic media outlets, such as RT and 
Sputnik, extensively to publish and promote false 
and provocative stories designed to denigrate Hillary 
Clinton and stoke anger among potential Trump 
supporters as well as Clinton’s opponents on the left. 
Disinformation included in such videos was often 
picked up by Trump-supporting media outlets, such 
as Breitbart News, Infowars, and Fox News, vastly 
expanding the reach of the videos. 
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(4) Notwithstanding the enactment of the 
Countering Adversaries of America through Sanc-
tions Act of 2017 (Public Law 115–44), Russia con-
tinues to support efforts to sow and exacerbate divi-
sions among Americans, including by funding efforts 
to fuel racial, religious, and cultural resentments 
throughout American society and pitting Americans 
against each other and against many of their politi-
cians. 
(5) Russia has also significantly stepped up its 
efforts to confront the United States and its allies 
politically and militarily, and to counter American 
influence worldwide, including by the following: 
(A) Invading and illegally occupying Cri-
mea. 
(B) Intervening in and occupying parts of 
eastern Ukraine. 
(C) Deploying substantial military forces 
and undertaking a ruthless bombing campaign 
in Syria to prop up the regime of Bashar al- 
Assad and defeat the American-supported oppo-
sition. 
(D) Significantly expanding its armed 
forces and deploying missiles in violation of 
treaty commitments. 
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(E) Undertaking large military exercises 
designed to intimidate East European states. 
(F) Interfering in the political systems of 
European countries in much the same way as 
in the United States. 
(G) Using the threat of cutting off gas 
supplies as leverage over the most energy-de-
pendent European countries. 
SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) while the United States should seek oppor-
tunities for cooperation with Russia, particularly in 
the context of arms control and the conflict in Syria 
and maintain open dialogue with Russia, the United 
States should also confront Russia more robustly, in 
order to deter further Russian efforts to undermine 
United States society, the United States political 
system, or the societies or political systems of 
United States allies; and 
(2) such robust confrontation should include— 
(A) responding strongly to ongoing Rus-
sian interference in Ukraine; 
(B) exposing the corruption of Vladimir 
Putin; 
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(C) strengthening military ties with other 
countries in the North Atlantic Treaty Organi-
zation; and 
(D) ensuring a coordinated and effective 
Federal response to Russian aggression. 
SEC. 4. OFFICE OF SANCTIONS POLICY. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Section 1 of the State De-
partment Basic Authorities Act (22 U.S.C. 2651a) is 
amended by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(h) COORDINATOR OF SANCTIONS POLICY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—There shall be established 
within the Department of State a Coordinator for 
Sanctions Policy, who shall be appointed by the 
President, by and with the advice and consent of the 
Senate and shall report directly to the Secretary of 
State. 
‘‘(2) DUTIES.—The Coordinator for Sanctions 
Policy shall be responsible for the following: 
‘‘(A) Overseeing the diplomatic aspects of 
the enforcement of United States and United 
Nations sanctions, including sanctions with re-
spect to Russia, Iran, North Korea, and other 
countries. 
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