Our intelligence agencies agree that Russian election interference took place in 2016. President Trump and the Republican party clearly benefited and there is the possibility that the Trump campaign or others may have colluded with the Russians.

On January 6, 2017 a bill (HR 356) was introduced in the House of Representatives called the “Protecting Our Democracy Act”. The bill would establish an independent commission to look into Foreign Interference in the 2016 Election.

Although this is not a Republican priority, some of us think that foreign interference, including Russian election interference, should be investigated by an independent commission of this type. On the day of introduction the bill was referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Almost 3 months later the bill is still there. Apparently, the Republican majority is not eager to have this bill debated.

There are 198 cosponsors as of this writing. All are Democrats but a lone Republican – Rep. Walter Jones of North Carolina. It is nice to know that at least one Republican is concerned that Russia almost certainly interfered with out election

This week the Democrats tried to get this bill to the floor but they were turned down by the Republicans

The bill is a simple one and its text as well as House actions are available at: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/356.

This bill establishes in the legislative branch the National Commission on Foreign Interference in the 2016 Election to examine any attempts or activities by the Russian government or other governments, persons or entities associated with such governments, or persons or entities within Russia to use electronic means to influence, interfere with, or sow distrust in elections for public office held in the United States in 2016.

I believe an independent commission to examine foreign election interference is important. This would not replace the ongoing FBI or House and Senate intelligence committee probes but rather supplement them and probably be more public. This is especially important since President Trump seems to be trying to undermine any probes and this would be as nonpartisan as possible.