Primarily Democratic lawmakers offered reaction Monday to the two reports commissioned by the Senate Intelligence Committee which detailed the extent to which Russia interfered in the 2016 campaign and continues to employ the same successful tactics today.
"These attacks against our country were much more comprehensive, calculating and widespread than previously revealed," [Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA)] said in statement. "This should stand as a wake up call to us all that none of us are immune from this threat, and it is time to get serious in addressing this challenge."
Chairman Richard Burr (R-NC), one of the only Republicans to weigh in so far, emphasized the ongoing danger as well.
He specifically pointed to how the efforts were aimed at dividing Americans by "race, religion, and ideology" to "erode trust in our Democratic institutions."
"Most troublingly, it shows that these activities have not stopped," he continued.
Every other GOP lawmaker on the Senate Intelligence Committee declined to comment or didn’t respond.
Incoming House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA), who plans to revisit some key components of his committee's prematurely shuttered Russia investigation, said every American should read the new reports, adding "Russian efforts to manipulate Americans through social media are sophisticated, cynical, effective and very much ongoing."
Researchers found that Russian agents were most aggressive in targeting black Americans and supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., pushing them to refrain from casting ballots for Clinton. Russians set up 30 Facebook pages targeting black Americans while other left-wing pages aimed to push Sanders' supporters to either vote for Green Party candidate Jill Stein or abstain from the 2016 presidential election.
Sanders reacted to the reports on Monday, tweeting, "We must do everything we can to protect our democracy and work with allies to do the same."
Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) urged her colleagues to take the Russia threat seriously. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) wondered knowingly why the White House won't support legislation to protect the nation from foreign influence in 2020. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) accused outgoing House Intel Chairman Devin Nunes (R-CA) of either hiding key Russia investigation information or being stupid. And Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) pointed out the frustration inherent in finding out black Americans were fighting voter suppression efforts both from inside the U.S. and from Russia.
'Wake-up call': Lawmakers react to reports detailing Russia's influence campaign (NBC News)
Russian disinformation teams targeted Robert S. Mueller III, says report prepared for Senate (WaPo)