Senate bill bans Trump from establishing joint cyber unit with Russia
New legislation advancing in the US Congress would ban President Donald Trump from establishing a joint cyber security unit with Russia without congressional approval.
The proposal, introduced by Republican Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina, is the latest in a series of measures by Congress that would seek to limit Trump’s authority on Russia matters.
The Senate Intelligence Committee passed the annual Intelligence Authorization Act by a 14-1 vote. The bill contains a provision that would require the administration to provide Congress with a report detailing what intelligence would be shared with Moscow.
Other requirements in the bill call on the US intelligence agencies to release major reports into Russian threats to US elections, Russian interference in the 2016 campaign and other influence operations by Moscow.
Trump announced on Twitter last month that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had discussed establishing "an impenetrable Cyber Security unit" to address issues like the risk of cyber interventions in elections.
The proposal drew sharp rebukes from Democrats and Republicans alike as well as the National Security Agency director, forcing the president to backtrack.
Trump has been seeking to improve relations with Russia, a desire that has been complicated by the conclusions of the US intelligence community that Moscow interfered in last year’s presidential election in favor of the Republican billionaire.
A special counsel and several congressional panels are investigating allegations of possible collusion between Russia and members of the Trump campaign. Moscow and Trump have strongly denied any collusion.
The authorization bill is not the first effort by Congress to tie President Trump’s hands on Russia. Previously lawmakers passed legislation banning the president from lifting sanctions on Moscow without congressional approval.
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