,,ii #aaeth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #bg ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,january #d1 #bjag ,mr4 ,cardin 7for himself1 ,mrs4 ,feinstein1 ,mr4 ,leahy1 ,mr4 ,carper1 and ,ms4 ,klobuchar7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,rules and ,administration ,a ,,bill ,to establish an independent commission to examine and report on the facts regarding the extent of ,russian official and unofficial cyber operations and other attempts to interfere in the #bjaf ,united ,states national election1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,establishment of ,commission ,there is established an independent commission1 which shall be known as the ,commission to ,end ,russian ,interference in ,united ,states ,elections 7referred to in this ,act as the ,commission74 #b4 ,functions ,the ,commission shall-- 7#a7 comprehensively examine the facts regarding the extent of ,russian official and unofficial cyber operations and other attempts to interfere in the #bjaf ,united ,states national election2 7#b7 examine attempts by the ,russian ,government1 persons or entities associated with the ,russian ,government1 or other persons or entities within ,russia to use cyber-enabled means to access1 alter1 or otherwise tamper with-- 7,a7 ,united ,states electronic voting systems2 7,b7 ,united ,states voter roll information2 7,c7 the ,democratic ,national ,committee2 7,d7 the ,democratic ,congressional ,campaign ,committee2 7,e7 the ,democratic ,governors ,association2 7,f7 the ,republican ,national ,committee2 7,g7 the ,republican ,congressional ,campaign ,committee2 7,h7 the ,republican ,governors ,association2 7,i7 ,donald ,j4 ,trump for ,president1 ,inc42 and 7,j7 ,hillary for ,america 7the ,hillary ,clinton ,presidential campaign72 7#c7 examine efforts by the ,russian ,government1 persons or entities associated with the ,russian ,government1 or persons or entities within ,russia to generate1 put forward1 disseminate1 or promote propaganda relevant to any election for public office held in the ,united ,states during #bjaf2 7#d7 examine efforts by the ,russian ,government to collaborate with other governments1 entities1 or individuals to carry out activities described in paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c72 7#e7 examine attempts or activities by governments1 persons associated with a government1 entities1 and individuals other than those described in paragraph 7#c7 to use electronic means to influence1 interfere with1 or sow distrust in elections for public office held in the ,united ,states during #bjaf2 7#f7 ascertain1 evaluate1 and report on the evidence developed by all relevant government agencies1 including the ,department of ,state1 the ,office of the ,director for ,national ,intelligence1 the ,central ,intelligence ,agency1 the ,national ,security ,agency1 the ,department of ,homeland ,security1 the ,federal ,bureau of ,investigation1 the ,department of ,defense1 and ,state election commissions1 regarding the facts and circumstances surrounding ,russia's interference with elections for public office held in the ,united ,states during #bjaf2 7#g7 review and build upon the findings of completed or ongoing efforts to the investigate such ,russian interference1 including investigations or inquires conducted by-- 7,a7 the ,administration of ,president ,barack ,obama2 7,b7 the ,select ,committee on ,intelligence of the ,senate2 7,c7 the ,committee on ,armed ,services of the ,senate2 7,d7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate2 and 7,e7 other executive branch1 congressional1 or independent entities2 7#h7 make a full accounting of-- 7,a7 the circumstances surrounding official and unofficial attempts to interfere in the #bjaf ,united ,states election1 including through cyber operations and the promotion of propaganda or other disinformation2 7,b7 the level of preparedness of ,federal1 ,state1 and local governments to defend against such interference2 and 7,c7 the ,united ,states response to such interference2 and 7#i7 submit a report to the ,president and ,congress1 in accordance with section #i1 on the findings1 conclusions1 and recommendations of the ,commission on preventing the reoccurrence of such interference4 #c4 ,composition 7a7 ,appointments 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,commission shall be composed of eight members1 of which-- 7,a7 two shall be appointed by the majority leader of the ,senate2 7,b7 two shall be appointed by the minority leader of the ,senate2 7,c7 two shall be appointed by the ,speaker of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7,d7 two shall be appointed by the minority leader of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#b7 ,deadline for appointment ,each initial member of the ,commission shall be appointed not later than #cj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7#c7 ,period of appointment ,each member of the ,commission shall be appointed for the life of the ,commission4 7b7 ,qualifications 7#a7 ,political party affiliation ,not more than #d members of the ,commission may be members of the same political party4 7#b7 ,nongovernmental appointees ,none of the members of the ,commission may be a ,member of ,congress 7including a ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to ,congress71 an officer or employee of the ,federal ,government1 or an officer or employee of any ,state or local government4 7#c7 ,other qualifications ,it is the sense of ,congress that individuals appointed to the ,commission should be prominent ,united ,states citizens1 with national recognition and significant depth of experience in professions such as governmental service1 law enforcement1 armed services1 law1 public administration1 intelligence gathering1 cybersecurity1 election administration1 and foreign affairs4 7c7 ,initial meeting2 selection of ,chairperson 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #fj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission shall hold an initial meeting to develop and implement a schedule for completing the review and report required under section #b7i74 7#b7 ,chairperson2 vice-chairperson ,at the initial meeting of the ,commission1 the ,commission shall select a ,chairperson and a ,vice-,chairperson from among its members4 ,the ,chairperson and ,vice-,chairperson may not be members of the same political party4 7d7 ,quorum2 vacancies 7#a7 ,quorum ,six members of the ,commission shall constitute a quorum4 7#b7 ,vacancies ,any vacancy in the ,commission shall not affect the power and duties of the ,commission and shall be filled in accordance with subsection 7a7 not later than #ij days after the occurrence of such vacancy4 #d4 ,powers of the ,commission 7a7 ,in general 7#a7 ,meetings ,after its initial meeting under section #c7;c77#a71 the ,commission shall meet upon the call of the ,chairperson or a majority of its members4 7#b7 ,hearings and evidence ,the ,commission may-- 7,a7 hold such hearings1 sit and act at such times and places1 take such testimony1 receive such evidence1 including classified testimony1 evidence1 and information1 and administer such oaths as may be necessary to carry out its functions under section #b2 and 7,b7 require1 by subpoena or otherwise1 the attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the production of such books1 records1 correspondence1 memoranda1 papers1 and documents1 including classified materials1 as the ,commission or such designated subcommittee or designated member may determine advisable to carry out such functions4 7#c7 ,subpoenas 7,a7 ,issuance 7i7 ,in general ,a subpoena may be issued under this subsection only by the agreement of the ,chairperson and the ,vice-,chairperson or by the affirmative vote of #e members of the ,commission4 7ii7 ,signature ,subpoenas issued under this subsection-- 7,i7 may be issued under the signature of the ,chairperson or any member designated by a majority of the ,commission2 and 7,,ii7 may be served by any person designated by the ,chairperson or by a member designated by a majority of the ,commission4 7,b7 ,enforcement 7i7 ,in general ,in the case of contumacy or failure to obey a subpoena issued under this subsection1 the ,united ,states district court for the judicial district in which the subpoenaed person resides1 is served1 or may be found1 or where the subpoena is returnable1 may issue an order requiring such person to appear at any designated place to testify or to produce documentary or other evidence4 ,any failure to obey the order of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt of that court4 7ii7 ,additional enforcement ,if any witness fails to comply with any subpoena issued under this subsection or to testify when summoned under authority of this subsection1 the ,commission may1 by majority vote1 certify a statement of fact constituting such failure to the appropriate ,united ,states attorney1 who may bring the matter before the grand jury for its action1 under the same statutory authority and procedures as if the ,united ,states attorney had received a certification under sections #ajb through #ajd of the ,revised ,statutes of the ,united ,states 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #aib through #aid74 7b7 ,information from ,federal agencies 7#a7 ,in general ,all ,federal departments and agencies shall1 in accordance with applicable procedures for the appropriate handling of classified information1 provide reasonable access to documents1 statistical data1 and other such information that the ,commission determines necessary to carry out its functions under section #b4 7#b7 ,obtaining information ,the ,chairperson of the ,commission shall submit a written request1 as necessary1 to the head of an agency described in paragraph 7#a7 for access to documents1 statistical data1 and other information described in such paragraph that is under the control of such agency4 7#c7 ,receipt1 handling1 storage1 and dissemination ,information described in paragraph 7#a7 may only be received1 handled1 stored and disseminated by members of the ,commission and its staff in accordance with all applicable statutes1 regulations1 and ,executive orders4 7c7 ,assistance from ,federal agencies 7#a7 ,general services administration ,the ,administrator of ,general ,services shall make office space available for the day-to-day activities of the ,commission and for scheduled meetings of the ,commission4 ,upon request1 the ,administrator shall provide1 on a reimbursable basis1 such administrative support as the ,commission requests to fulfill its duties4 7#b7 ,other departments and agencies ,in addition to the assistance required under paragraph 7#a71 other ,federal departments and agencies may provide to the ,commission such services1 funds1 facilities1 staff1 and other support services as the heads of such entities determine advisable in accordance with applicable law4 7d7 ,postal services ,the ,commission may use the ,united ,states mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other ,federal departments and agencies4 7e7 ,authority ,to contract 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to subtitle ,i of title #dj1 ,united ,states ,code1 and division ,c of subtitle ,i of title #da1 ,united ,states ,code 7formerly collectively known as the ,federal ,property and ,administrative ,services ,act of #aidi71 the ,commission is authorized to enter into contracts with ,federal and ,state agencies1 private firms1 institutions1 and individuals for the conduct of activities necessary to the discharge of its duties under section #b4 7#b7 ,termination ,any contract1 lease1 or other legal agreement entered into by the ,commission under this subsection may not extend beyond the date specified in section #aj4 #e4 ,staff of the ,commission 7a7 ,director ,the ,commission shall have a ,director1 who shall be-- 7#a7 appointed by a majority vote of the ,commission2 and 7#b7 paid at a rate not to exceed the rate of basic pay for level ,,iv of the ,executive ,schedule4 7b7 ,staff 7#a7 ,in general ,with the approval of the ,commission1 the ,director may appoint such personnel as the ,director determines to be appropriate4 ,such personnel shall be paid at a rate not to exceed the rate of basic pay for level ,,iv of the ,executive ,schedule1 as set forth in section #ecae of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#b7 ,additional staff ,the ,commission may appoint and fix the compensation of such other personnel as may be necessary to enable the ,commission to carry out its duties1 without regard to the provisions of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 governing appointments in the competitive service1 and without regard to the provisions of chapter #ea and subchapter ,,iii of chapter #ec of such title relating to classification and ,general ,schedule pay rates1 except that no rate of pay fixed under this subsection may exceed the equivalent of that payable to a person occupying a position at level ,v of the ,executive ,schedule1 as set forth in section #ecaf of such title4 7c7 ,experts and consultants ,with the approval of the ,commission1 the ,director may procure temporary and intermittent services under section #caji7;b7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 but at rates not to exceed the rate of basic pay for level ,,iv of the ,executive ,schedule4 7d7 ,detailees ,upon the request of the ,commission1 any ,federal ,government employee may be detailed to the ,commission without reimbursement from the ,commission1 and such detailee shall retain the rights1 civil service status1 and privileges of his or her regular employment without interruption4 #f4 ,nonapplicability of ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act 7a7 ,in general ,the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app47 shall not apply to the ,commission4 7b7 ,public meetings and release of public versions of reports ,the ,commission shall-- 7#a7 hold public hearings and meetings to the extent appropriate2 and 7#b7 release public versions of the reports required under section #i4 7c7 ,public hearings ,any public hearings of the ,commission shall be conducted in a manner consistent with the protection of information provided to or developed for or by the ,commission as required under any applicable statute1 regulation1 or ,executive order4 #g4 ,compensation and travel expenses 7a7 ,compensation ,members of the ,commission-- 7#a7 shall not be considered to be ,federal employees for any purpose by reason of service on the ,commission2 and 7#b7 shall serve without pay4 7b7 ,travel expenses ,while away from their homes or regular places of business in performance of services for the ,commission1 members of the ,commission shall be allowed travel expenses1 including per diem in lieu of subsistence1 in accordance with section #egjc of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 #h4 ,security clearances for ,commission members and staff ,the appropriate ,federal agencies or departments shall cooperate with the ,commission to expeditiously provide1 to the extent possible1 appropriate security clearances to ,commission members and staff in accordance with existing procedures and requirements1 except that no person shall be provided with access to classified information under this ,act without the appropriate security clearances4 #i4 ,report 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ah months after the first meeting of the ,commission1 the ,commission shall submit a report to the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate1 the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives1 the ,committee on the ,judiciary of the ,senate1 the ,committee on the ,judiciary of the ,house of ,representatives1 the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate1 the ,committee on ,homeland ,security of the ,house of ,representatives1 the ,committee on ,oversight and ,government ,reform of the ,house of ,representatives1 the ,select ,committee on ,intelligence of the ,senate1 the ,permanent ,select ,committee on ,intelligence of the ,house of ,representatives1 the ,committee on ,armed ,services of the ,senate1 and the ,committee on ,armed ,services of the ,house of ,representatives4 ,the report shall include-- 7#a7 a detailed statement of the recommendations1 findings1 and conclusions of the ,commission under section #b2 and 7#b7 summaries of the input and recommendations of the leaders and organizations with which the ,commission consulted4 7b7 ,public availability ,the report required under subsection 7a7 shall be submitted in an unclassified form1 which shall be made available to the public1 but may include a classified annex4 #aj4 ,termination ,the ,commission shall terminate on the date that is #fj days after the date on which the ,commission submits its report to ,congress pursuant to section #i4