WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released a statement following a vote reaffirming support for the U.S. Intelligence Community and rejecting the Russian government’s ask to question U.S. officials.

“President Trump’s entire trip was a disaster, but publicly toying with handing over a former U.S. ambassador to a murderous thug like Vladimir Putin is among the most disturbing outcomes so far. I’m glad the Senate spoke out with a strong voice today, but my Republican colleagues need to realize that speaking out is no longer enough,” said Murphy. “Our diplomats leave their homes behind for the sole purpose of advancing the United States in other countries – often ones that don’t like us very much. These Foreign Service officers and ambassadors deserve not only our gratitude for their public service, but the security of knowing that their own country would never sell them out to a hostile government. That wouldn’t just be a betrayal, but would justifiably cause a massive brain drain from the State Department that would immediately hurt our security.”

At Monday’s joint press conference in Helsinki, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested the United States allow the Russian government to interview seven Americans, in exchange for interviewing the 12 Russian officials indicted last week for interfering in the 2016 U.S. elections. Among the Americans of interest to Russia is former U.S. ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul, who has been critical of Putin in the past. President Trump referred to this suggestion as “an incredible offer,” and White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the idea was under consideration.

The U.S. Senate, today, voted unanimously on a resolution to reject this offer from the Russian government and reaffirm the U.S. Intelligence Community’s assessment that Russia interfered in the U.S. elections in 2016.

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