After the controversy surrounding the 2016 Presidential election, combatting the threat of foreign influence has been a top priority for lawmakers across the country. A new bipartisan effort aims to address the concern as both Florida Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D) and Florida Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R) are joining forces to lead the charge. In response to the legislation, Murphy asserted that “Congress needs to be made aware” of any foreign influence.
Sharing a Spectrum News segment, the Democratic leader shared a quote from the segment, announcing the bipartisan effort to confront the threat of foreign influence in American politics.
"Democratic Representative Stephanie Murphy is teaming up with Republican Representative Maria Salazar on the new legislation. The bill would require the Pentagon to brief key lawmakers if there's a credible threat from a foreign government against U.S. servicemembers." pic.twitter.com/rHhCyvCBVW
— U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy (@RepStephMurphy) July 23, 2021
“Democratic Representative Stephanie Murphy is teaming up with Republican Representative Maria Salazar on the new legislation,” the post reads, adding that “the bill would require the Pentagon to brief key lawmakers if there’s a credible threat from a foreign government against U.S. servicemembers.”
This year, the United States faced the threat after Axios released a report linking 2020 Presidential candidate Rep. Eric Swalwell (D) who was linked to Christine Fang, an accused Chinese spy. Axios reported that Fang was an operative for the Chinese Ministry of State Security, who was targeting up-and-coming politicians.
Swalwell ended up serving on the House Committee on Homeland Security, and Swalwell was named the Impeachment Manager during President Donald Trump’s (R) second impeachment.
During the interview, Murphy commented that “in order for Congress to effectively execute our duties and ensuring there are resources provided to the Department of Defense, whether it’s Russia, Iran or any other country, Congress needs to be made aware” of the threat presenting itself.
Controversy surrounded Swalwell after the Axios report, and it only increased after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) kept Swalwell in his several posts.
During a weekly news conference, Pelosi was asked about Swalwell's allegations.
She simply responded that she didn't "have any concerns about Mr. Swalwell."
