House members warn of disinformation ‘battle’

House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) is describing the fight against Russian efforts to spread disinformation on social media as a conflict that the U.S. has “got to win.”

At a Wednesday hearing, Lowey referenced the U.S. women’s soccer team’s World Cup win, saying: “We won the USA soccer match, I can’t believe that how difficult it is that we can’t win this battle.”

The comments came during a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing on countering Russian disinformation and malign influence on social media and other communications platforms, particularly attempts to interfere in U.S. elections.

Rep. Lois Frankel (D-Fla.) quipped in response to Lowey that it was “kind to call it a battle, I would call it a war.”

Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.), the ranking member of the subcommittee, agreed with Lowey on the threats from Russia through disinformation campaigns, and suggested that an “interagency effort” may be needed to fully address the issue.

Witnesses at Wednesday’s hearing agreed with Lowey’s assessment of the spread of Russian disinformation as an ongoing conflict.

John Lansing, the CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which has jurisdiction over Voice of America and Radio Free Europe, described the issue of countering disinformation as a “battle.” Lansing asked lawmakers to step up spending to combat Russian efforts.