Does an Independent, Bipartisan Commission Need to Investigate Electoral Meddling by Foreign Governments? (H.R. 356)

What is H.R. 356?

(Updated January 20, 2021)

This bill would establish an independent, bipartisan commission to investigate foreign interference in the 2016 election. It would create a 12-member commission that would have the ability to interview witnesses, obtain documents, issue subpoenas, and receive public testimony in the course of its investigation. Once the commission completes its investigation, it would issue a final report with its recommendations to Congress and the president within 18 months of its enactment.

Within 90 days of this bill’s enactment, the top two congressional leaders of each party in both chambers of Congress would select the commission’s twelve members. The commission would then choose a chair and vice chair representing each party. No federal officials or employees would be eligible to serve on the commission. Appointees would be prominent U.S. citizens with national recognition in the fields of government service, law enforcement, armed forces, law, intelligence, foreign affairs, cybersecurity, and federal elections.

Argument in favor

An independent, bipartisan commission is needed to investigate foreign interference in the 2016 election and recommend steps to prevent it from reoccurring.

Argument opposed

Congressional committees are already investigating the matter, and they can be relied upon to inform the public of their findings and recommendations.

Impact

The public; members of the to-be created commission; and Congress.

Cost of H.R. 356

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) introduced this bill to create an independent, bipartisan commission to investigate foreign interference in the 2016 election:

“There’s overwhelming agreement across America that our democracy was attacked this past presidential election.  Now everyone’s asking what our nation’s leaders will do about it.  Our legislation answers that question by identifying who was responsible and telling Americans what we will do to secure our next election... If we do nothing, we are telling the world our elections are open for influence by the most aggressive meddler. With 17 intelligence agencies agreeing that Russia interfered in our election, we most move quickly to have an independent, bipartisan, de-politicized commission to fully examine the circumstances, inform the public of its findings, and develop a plan to prevent this from ever happening again.”

This legislation has the support of 199 cosponsors in the House, including 197 Democrats and two Republicans.

Media:

• Sponsoring Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) Press Release
  
• Charlotte Observer
  
• The Hill
  
• Morning Consult