Torres Introduces Bill to Investigate National Rifle Association Links to Russian Interference in 2016 U.S. Presidential Election

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA) introduced the Maria Butina NRA Transparency Act to require the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to investigate whether the National Rifle Association (NRA) benefitted from Russia's involvement in the 2016 United States presidential election. The bill follows the recent indictment of Maria Butina, a Russian national with a long record of gun rights activism and ties to the NRA, for conspiracy to act as an agent of Russia.

"The case of Maria Butina has raised a lot of questions about the depths that Russia was willing to go to infiltrate our democracy," said Torres. "My bill would provide us with a more complete picture to track where foreign money went in the 2016 presidential election and hold the NRA accountable for transparency."

Torres was joined in introducing the legislation by Representatives James P. McGovern (D-MA), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Hank Johnson (D-GA), and Grace Meng (D-NY).

Under the Maria Butina NRA Transparency Act, the DNI, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury, would have no more than 180 days after the enactment of the legislation to produce a national intelligence estimate of the total amount of the funds provided to the NRA by the Russian Federation, including funds provided through intermediaries, for the purpose of influencing the 2016 presidential election in the U.S.

Torres is a member of the powerful Rules Committee, the Foreign Affairs Committee, and the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.

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