Countering Russian Influence in Europe and Eurasia Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1221
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2017-05-24 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Albania
Alliances
Asia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy efficiency and conservation
Energy prices
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Europe
European Union
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign and international banking
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Georgia (Republic)
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government information and archives
Human rights
International law and treaties
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Kosovo
Macedonia
Military operations and strategy
Moldova
News media and reporting
Oil and gas
Pipelines
Russia
Sanctions
Serbia
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Subversive activities
Television and film
U.S. and foreign investments
Ukraine

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-24
text: 

Countering Russian Influence in Europe and Eurasia Act of 2017

 
This bill declares that the United States supports the &quot;Stimson Doctrine&quot; and thus does not recognize territorial changes effected by force, including the illegal invasions and occupations of Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Crimea, Eastern Ukraine, and Transnistria.
 
The bill authorizes the Countering Russian Influence Fund through FY2019.
 
The Department of State shall establish a working group to administer the fund, which shall be used to: (1) assist in protecting critical infrastructure and electoral mechanisms from cyberattacks in North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or or European Union (EU) nations that the State Department determines are vulnerable to Russian influence and that lack the economic capability to effectively respond without U.S. support, and in countries participating in the NATO or EU enlargement process; and (2) combat corruption, improve the rule of law, and otherwise strengthen independent judiciaries and prosecutors general offices in such countries.
 
The fund also may be used for: (1) responding to the humanitarian crises and instability resulting from the invasions and occupations of Georgia and Ukraine by the Russian Federation; (2) improving participatory legislative processes and legal education, political transparency and competition, and compliance with international obligations; and (3) building the capacity to counter the influence and propaganda of the Russian Federation in such countries. 
 
The Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia shall coordinate efforts to implement, and establish metrics regarding efforts to achieve, such goals for fund use.
 
The President shall report to Congress describing media organizations that are controlled and funded by the Russian government and affiliated entities.

action_date: 2017-06-06
text: 

Countering Russian Influence in Europe and Eurasia Act of 2017

 
This bill declares that the United States supports the &quot;Stimson Doctrine&quot; and thus does not recognize territorial changes effected by force, including the illegal invasions and occupations of Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Crimea, Eastern Ukraine, and Transnistria.
 
The bill: (1) authorizes FY2018-FY2019 assistance for the Countering Russian Influence Fund; and (2) prescribes fund use, including assisting those North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or European Union (EU) countries that are vulnerable to Russian influence or aggression to enhance their energy security, lessen dependence on Russian energy sources, and protect their infrastructure and electoral mechanisms from cyber attack.
 
The Department of State shall establish a pilot program for Foreign Service officer positions focused on governance and anticorruption activities in vulnerable NATO and EU countries. 
 
The President shall submit annual reports to Congress regarding: (1) media organizations that are controlled and funded by the Russian government and affiliated entities, and (2) Russian influence on elections in Europe or Eurasia.
 
The State Department shall work with the government of Ukraine to increase Ukrainian energy security and production and reduce its reliance on Russian energy imports. Authorizes FY2018-FY2019 assistance to promote Ukrainian energy security.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-06
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 118.
action_date: 2017-06-06
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with amendments. Without written report.
action_date: 2017-06-06
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with amendments. Without written report.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
action_date: 2017-05-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2017-05-24
text: Introduced in Senate