Moscow utilizes Digital Technologies to target us and our democratic allies from within. It includes election meddling and influenced operations directed by the highest levels of the russian government the very heart of the western world. We provided significant foreign assistance in europe and eurasia, almost all of which supports building resilience to an increasing pressure on russian malign influence in accordance with the fine. The department has increased his support for the Global Engagement center through additional funding and tapping. We have degraded prudence costs. By imposing the administration a section 321 russiarelated individuals and entities in january 2017. These sanctions and related action serve as a warning to the russian government that we will not tolerate inactivity aimed at undermining or manipulating our 2020 election. I confronted Deputy Foreign minister on russian interference in our elections in july and have raise the matter with Russian Ambassador severa
I object. Objection noted. Quorum is present. We are conducting this hearing on the impeachment inquiry into president donald j trump. Presentations from the house select midi on intelligence in the House Judiciary Committee pursuant to House Resolution 660 and a special Judiciary Committee procedures that are60 described in section four a of that resolution. Here is how the committee would proceed for this hearing. I will make an Opening Statement and then i will recognize the Ranking Member for an Opening Statement. After that we will hear two sets of presentations. We will hear 30 minuteco opening argument from counsels for the majority and minority [inaudible] order in the room. Order in the committee room. [inaudible] the committee will come to order. Obviously, i should not have to remind everyone present that the audience is here to observe, not to demonstrate and not to indicate agreement or disagreement with any witness or any member of the committee. The audience is here to o
The committee will come to order. Thank you all for coming today and to the witnesses for joining us today as we examine the current state of the u. S. Russia relationship and the strategy to deal with the Russian Federation. Its timely to assess the relationship with russia and as weve recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of the events that led to the collapse of the soviet union, the fall of the berlin wall, solidarity, selection, victory in poland and the baltic demonstrations among others. Many former soviet states had become prosperous democracies with memberships in nato and the eu. Mr. Putin has taken russia down a much darker path. Today Many Russians suffer with oligarchs enriching themselves to control the major industries. Russia rates its elections to ensure onlensure a week from und politician speak the cut. Russia is targeted and expelled humanitarian organizations and three Media Outlets labeling them as foreign agents. The russian people are in humanity imprisoned a
The committee will come to orde order. Thank you all for coming today and for our witnesses for joining us as we examine the current state of the us russia relationship to deal with the Russian Federation. Its time to assess our relationship as we have recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of events leading to the collapse of the soviet union, fall of the berlin wal wall, solidarity selection victory in poland many former soviet states with prosperous democracies with memberships in the eu. Mister putin has taken russia down a darker path many suffer while oligarchs enrich themselves russia make sure only kremlin approved officials make the cut with those who military and organization in those outlets the russian people are inhumanely present and tortured to disagree with the government. Not only does the Russian Federation make it painful for the average russian but also makes it harder for those around the world he has meddled in american intellections sewing chaos propping up the
An Opening Statement and well turn to the witness for Opening Statement and then to questions. For audience members we welcome you and respect your interest in being here. In turn, we ask for your respect as we proceed with todays hearing. It is the intention of the committee to proceed without disruptions. As chairman ill take all necessary and appropriate steps to maintain order to ensure that the committee is run in accordance with house rules and House Resolution 660. With that i now recognize myself to give an Opening Statement in the impeachment inquiry into donald j. Trump, the 45th president of the United States. In april, 2019 the United States ambassador to ukraine Marie Yovanovitch was in kiev when she was called by a Senior State Department official and told to get on the next plane back to washington. Upon her return to d. C. She was informed by her superiors that although she had done nothing wrong, she could no longer serve as ambassador to ukraine because she did not ha