WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) – ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs – released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s decision to sanction certain Russian persons and firms for their involvement in destructive cyber activity against the US, including their interference in our elections and attacks on critical infrastructure.

The Treasury Department sanctions announcement was accompanied by a Department of Homeland Security alert issued today, in cooperation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, outlining the broad range of Russia cyber attacks against critical infrastructure in the US, including nuclear and other energy sites, critical manufacturing, water systems, aviation, and other critical networks, to help US entities enhance their ability to identify and combat malicious Russian activity.  

“Today’s long overdue sanctions are just a first step. The Administration must use the broad range of sanctions required by Congress to hold Russia accountable and protect U.S. elections, energy, nuclear, water, aviation and manufacturing infrastructure from cyber-attacks,” said Brown. “Unless we impose a real price, Russia will continue to try to undermine our democracy and threaten our critical infrastructure."

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