[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 24, 2017)]
[House]
[Page H4519]
DISCLOSURE OF SENSITIVE INFORMATION
(Mrs. MURPHY of Florida asked and was given permission to address the
House for 1 minute.)
Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the President recently disclosed
highly sensitive information to Russian officials, information that had
been entrusted to the United States by an ally. This incident has
generated concern among national security professionals.
Under current law, the President must keep the congressional
intelligence committees informed of U.S. intelligence activities.
Building on this general mandate, I am filing a bill that would require
the President to notify the intelligence committees when a U.S.
official, including the President, intentionally or inadvertently
discloses top-secret information to a nation that sponsors terrorism
or, like Russia, is subject to U.S. sanctions.
My bill would deter unjustified disclosure of sensitive information
to adversaries. It would also give the congressional intelligence
committees an opportunity to examine the rationale for the disclosure,
to assess any fallout, and to take appropriate action.
My bill would simply provide Congress with the same information that
was made available to other nations. I hope my colleagues on both sides
of the aisle will support this bill.
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