Amid reports that the U.S. State Department has not designated $120 million in funds appropriated by Congress to counter disinformation and propaganda from foreign governments, a group of six bipartisan senators pushed for an explanation on Friday.
The lawmakers also wrote they are “gravely concerned” about the U.S. Department of Defense’s lack of urgency in transferring $40 million to the State Department’s Global Engagement Center (GEC), which Congress gave authority to counter propaganda and disinformation in 2016. The two departments reached an agreement on a blueprint for conducting GEC operations that included the $40 million fund transfer.
In a letter to Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan and Secretary of Defense James Mattis, the senators requested a timeline and spending plans for the transfer of all congressionally authorized funds, and the $40 million that the Department of Defense previously pledged to the GEC. The letter was signed by U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH), Chris Coons (D-DE), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Todd Young (R-IN), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), all members of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
In February, six leaders of the intelligence community confirmed that “Russia used ‘active measures’ to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election and that the upcoming 2018 midterm elections are a significant potential target. These activities form part of an ongoing, long-term effort to undermine American institutions, weaken our alliances and manipulate public perceptions,” the letter states.
The senators added that Congress appropriated funds to the GEC as part of a “government-wide response to Russian malign influence.” They urged Sullivan and Mattis to take “immediate steps” to ensure that GEC receives intended resources and is appropriately staffed.
“With less than nine months until the 2018 midterm elections and with Russia continuing its extensive influence operations against U.S. allies and interests around the globe, we urge you to take the necessary steps to counter this urgent threat to our nation’s democratic processes, including by fully expending congressionally authorized funds to combat Russian malign aggression,” the letter concluded.