Senators to Rex Tillerson: Fight Russian propaganda

By Joel Gehrke

Published August 2, 2017 5:29pm ET

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Senators to Rex Tillerson: Fight Russian propaganda — "It is very concerning that progress on combatting this problem is being delayed because the State Department isn't tapping into these resources," Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, a Foreign Relations Committee member who co-authored legislation enhancing counter-propaganda efforts in 2016. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) | Alex Brandon

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s hesitance to tap into a fund for countering Russian and terrorist propaganda is drawing bipartisan Senate criticism.

A pair of lawmakers urged Tillerson to make use of about $80 million authorized for spending to counter disinformation campaigns launched by American enemies. Tillerson’s team says the State Department lacks an effective plan for the program, but anonymous diplomatic critics claim that Tillerson worries about upsetting Russia.

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Tag:

Congress Joel Gehrke Rex Tillerson Rob Portman Russia Senate Foreign Relations Committee State Department Terrorism