TN Senator Alexander's reply to my email on Trump's Russian connections

[tnlurker]

I sent the following email to Alexander (and Senator Corker and my rep David Kustoff, all republicans of course):

Senator,
There should be no more considerations of appointments for this administration (including the Supreme Court ) until the Russia connection with the Trump Campaign is fully investigated by an independent panel. We cannot have our government taken over or influenced by a foreign power. Please make sure that you work towards an independent panel since so many people in congress seem to be doing all they can to delay and keep from investigating the situation. Leadership is needed at this time to save the United States from foreign influence. Please provide that leadership. Please put country in front of party in this case.

He is evading my statement that I expect him to provide leadership on this issue.

Here is his reply:

Dear tnlurker,

Thanks very much for getting in touch with me and letting me know what’s on your mind regarding relations between the United States and the Russian Federation.

For the last several years, the Russian Federation—under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin—has undertaken numerous overt and clandestine military actions against its neighboring states. In February 2014, Russian military forces forcibly annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine. Russian military and intelligence forces have intervened and assisted Eastern Ukrainian rebel forces fighting against Ukrainian government forces since that time.

Most recently, On October 7, 2016, the Director of National Intelligence and the Department of Homeland Security released information about the Russian Government hacking of the Democratic National Committee, and there are growing concerns about communications between the current Administration and Russian officials.

It is important that the United States and its allies provide a measured and effective response to unprovoked acts of aggression. That’s why, in 2014 I co-sponsored legislation that would have authorized the president to provide Ukraine up to $100 million in direct military assistance, such as anti-aircraft and anti-tank weapons and other small arms. It would have also placed additional economic sanctions on Russian officials and financial institutions, expanded existing sanctions and would have set up future sanctions in the event that Russia interferes further in Ukraine.

In regards to Russian government hacking of Democratic National Committee, I support the efforts of Senator Bob Corker, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Senator Richard Burr, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Senator John McCain, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, who have announced that each of their committees will hold hearings to carefully investigate the allegations of Russian cyberattacks in the U.S.

President Trump has an opportunity to make it clear to Russia that future acts of aggression against the United States and our allies will not be tolerated, and I hope he will act to protect our nation’s interest quickly.

I’m grateful you took the time to let me know where you stand, and I’ll be sure to keep your comments in mind as relations between the United States and Russian Federation are discussed and debated in Washington and in Tennessee.

Sincerely,
Lamar

I also had a call Friday from my representative David Kustoff's office. A very nice staffer wanted me to know that the congressman received my email and will consider my opinion. When she state almost the same thing that is in Lamar's email about letting the House Intelligence committee handle the investigation I told her that I expect congressman Kustoff to provide leadership in the house to enlist his peers to join the effort for an independent commission to investigate, because it is very apparent that members of the House Intelligence committee were more willing to cover for Trump than investigate him. She assured me that she would pass that along to the congressman.

[gratuitous]

1. Good job

Even if you don't get the response you want, at least you're putting your elected officials on notice that their constituents are watching and expecting them to act.

[gibraltar72]

2. Shame on you

for asking a question that didn't match the answer he had prepared!