JASON CHAFFETZ, UTAH ONE HUNDRED FOURTEENTH CONGRESS ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS, MARYLAND CHAIRMAN RANKING MINORITY MEMBER Qtungtess at the @Hniteh ?tatrz 3501153 at COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM 215? RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON, DC 20515?6143 MAJORITY {2 02} 225?5074 Iv {202] 225?5051 nll[Ju?fuversighthousagnv November 17, 2016 The Honorable Jason Chaffetz Chairman Committee on Oversight and Government Reform US House of Representatives Washington, DC. 20515 Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for meeting with me yesterday about the Oversight Committee?s priorities going forward. During our meeting, I proposed that we conduct a bipartisan investigation into Russia?s role in interfering with and influencing the 2016 presidential election. In response, you stated that although you were open to considering such an investigation, you wanted me to ?show the evidence? that Russia in fact meddled in our election. Two days ago, on November 15, 2015, Admiral Michael Rogers, the Director of the National Security Agency (NSA), made the following statement: There shouldn?t be any doubt in anybody?s minds, this was not something that was done casually, this was not something that was done by chance, this was not a target that was selected purely arbitrarily. This was a conscious effort by a nation?state to attempt to achieve a specific effect.1 The NSA Director?s statement followed a previous statement issued on October 7, 2016, by the Of?ce of Director of National Intelligence and the Department of Homeland Security, Speaking on behalf of our nation?s 17 federal intelligence agencies: The US Intelligence Community (USIC) is con?dent that the Russian Government directed the recent compromises of e-mails from US persons and institutions, including from US political organizations. The recent disclosures of alleged hacked e-mails on sites like DCLeakscom and WikiLeaks and by the Guccifer 2.0 online persona are consistent with the methods and motivations of Russian?directed efforts. These thefts and disclosures are intended to interfere with the US election process. Such activity is 1 A ?Nation?Stare Used Wilcileaks to In?uence the US Election, the Head ofthe NSA Says, Quartz (N ov. 15, 2016) (online at The Honorable Jason Chaffetz Page 2 not new to Moscow?the Russians have used similar tactics and techniques across Europe and Eurasia, for example, to influence public opinion there. We believe, based on the scope and sensitivity of these efforts, that only Russia?s senior?most of?cials could have authorized these activities.2 House Speaker Paul Ryan?s spokesman warned: ?Russia is a global menace led by a devious thug. Putin should stay out ofthis election.?3 In addition, Senator Marco Rubio stated: want to warn my fellow Republicans who may want to capitalize politically on these leaks: Today it is the Democrats. Tomorrow it could be us??l Two days ago, Senator Lindsey Graham called for a Senate investigation into Russia?s role in manipulating our election, stating: Here?s what I would tell Republicans: We cannot sit on the sidelines as a party and let allegations against a foreign government interfering in our election process go unanswered because it may have been bene?cial to our cause.? Over the course of your chairmanship, we have had our differences on certain issues, but this should not be one of them. This perilous menace goes beyond party, beyond politics, and . beyond partisanship. Although these attacks were executed to harm the Democratic candidate for president on this occasion, Russia?s actions sow doubts about our entire elections system and merit a robust congressional investigation. Elections are the bedrock ofour nation?s democracy. Any attempt by a foreign power to undermine them is a direct attack on our core democratic values, and it should chill every Member of Congress and American?red or blue?hto the core. I believe the public deserves a full and open accounting of this matter?one that we are uniquely positioned to provide. I propose that the Oversight Committee begin by obtaining for all of our Members and apprOpriately-cleared staff a classified briefing from the Intelligence 2 Office of the Director of National intelligence, Joint DHS and ODNI Election Security Statement (Oct. 7, 2016) (online at releases-20101423 ?j 3 Speaker Paul Ryan Calls on ?Global Menace Russia to ?Stay Out olevis Election, Time (July 27, 2016) (online at russia). 4 Rubia Warns GOP to Stay Silent on. Wila'leaks Hack, Politico (Oct. 19, 2016) (online at WW.politico.com/story/2O 5 GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham Wants Congress to Investigate Russian Cyberattack on DNC, Election, Los Angeles Times (Nov. 15, 2016) (online at wants?congress? 1 479254 1 The Honorable Jason Chaffetz Page 3 Community on these issues, followed by a robust investigation designed to identify speci?c recommendations for actions that our country can take to respond to these attacks and safeguard against similar attacks in the future. Thank you for your consideration of this important request. Sincerely, lij ah ummings Ranking Member