Val Demings, a Florida Democrat, is teaming up with fellow Republican rep. Elise Stefanik, to call on the American Intelligence community to monitor any financial activities and networks that are used by Vladimir Putin.
Demings is a former chief of the Orlando Police Department, having worked for the Department for 25 years.
And, as a member of the U.S. House Intelligence, Judiciary, and Homeland Security Committees, Demings added her support to the “Vladimir Putin Transparency Act,” which “requires the creation and submission to Congress of a report on the personal net worth of and assets owned by Russian President Vladimir Putin.”
Demings explained her support for the measure, saying that “Russia and Putin have been allowed free reign by this administration and as a result our democracy is still at risk.” Aside from throwing a jab at the Trump administration as the Mueller investigation comes to a close, Demings added that “the best way to assail the power of Putin and his enablers is to go after the illegal and secret financial streams that fund their operations.” She asserts that this is important because “it’s time to fight back and protect our democracy.”
The Florida Democrat further detailed that “twenty-six Russians and three Russian companies have already been indicted for interfering with the 2016 election, but this administration has done little to prevent future attacks.” So, Demings assures this has to be countered because “Russian has continued its campaigns of disinformation, propaganda, and political and military pressure against U.S. allies and interests.”
The bill has been sent to the House Intelligence, Foreign Affairs and Financial Services Committees.
In the Senate, no counterpart bill has been introduced.
Demings has proven to be a rising star in the Democrat party and, in last year’s general election, she ran unopposed to maintain her seat in Florida’s 10thcongressional district.
