Langhorne, PA – Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-08) released a statement today sharply criticizing Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election:

“Our nation must never tolerate a Russian autocrat that seeks to interfere in our elections. As a former FBI Special Agent, I support our Intelligence Community, and I stand by their conclusions. President Trump missed the mark today in failing to confront Vladimir Putin on these realities. The President must acknowledge that Putin directed Russian actors to interfere and undermine our democratic process. Russia is not our ally and Putin is a KGB thug. We must serve harsh justice to those who engage in activities that threaten our democracy, continue an illegal occupation in Ukraine, and support the brutal Assad regime in Syria.”

Last year, Fitzpatrick voted to enact sweeping new sanctions on Russia and joined fellow Congressional Ukraine Caucus co-chair Rep. Marcy Kaptur in calling for their enactment. Prior to today’s announcement, Fitzpatrick co-sponsored the DISARM Act [H.R. 5216] – bipartisan legislation directing the president to impose sanctions on senior political figures and oligarchs in the Russian Federation and other related Russian entities.