summary
Introduced
05/24/2017
05/24/2017
In Committee
05/25/2017
05/25/2017
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2018
12/31/2018
Introduced Session
115th Congress
Bill Summary
Countering Russian Influence in Europe and Eurasia Act of 2017 This bill declares that the United States supports the "Stimson Doctrine" 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.
AI Summary
This bill:
- Declares that the United States does not recognize territorial changes effected by force, including the illegal invasions and occupations of Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Crimea, Eastern Ukraine, and Transnistria by Russia.
- Authorizes $250 million in appropriations for fiscal years 2018-2019 for the Countering Russian Influence Fund to assist NATO and EU countries that are vulnerable to Russian influence or aggression in enhancing their energy security, reducing dependence on Russian energy, and protecting their infrastructure and electoral mechanisms from cyberattacks.
- Requires the Fund to be used to combat corruption, improve the rule of law, and strengthen independent judiciaries and prosecutors in those countries. It also allows discretionary use of the Fund to respond to humanitarian crises and instability caused by Russian aggression, improve legislative processes and political transparency, and build the capacity of civil society and independent media.
- Requires the President to submit annual reports to Congress on Russian government-controlled media organizations and Russian influence on elections in Europe and Eurasia.
- Establishes a policy to support Ukraine in restoring its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and directs the State Department to work with Ukraine to increase its energy security, production, and reduce reliance on Russian energy imports.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 118. (on 06/06/2017)
Official Document
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