Congress Backs Romania and Moldova Against Russian Meddling: Calls for Increased Election Security Ahead of 2025 Votes

This resolution is essentially Congress sending a strong, formal message of support to two key Eastern European countries, Romania and Moldova. It’s not a law that changes anything domestically, but it’s a big deal in foreign policy, clearly stating that the U.S. stands with them as they face intense pressure and interference from Russia. This bill is about recognizing their efforts to stay democratic and pushing the international community, including the U.S. government, to step up security and election integrity support immediately, especially before their 2025 elections.

The Geopolitical Insurance Policy

Think of this as a policy endorsement for stability in a volatile region. The resolution specifically commends Romania, a NATO member, for hitting its defense spending targets—over 2.2% of its GDP in 2024. Why does Congress care about that number? Because in the world of alliances, meeting your commitments matters, and Romania is a crucial buffer against Russian expansion. They’re also getting props for helping Europe wean itself off Russian energy by contributing their own resources, essentially blocking Russia from using natural gas as a political weapon. This is a big deal for global energy stability, which ultimately affects gas prices everywhere.

Backing the EU Dream

Moldova, which shares a border with Ukraine, is the other focus here. The resolution applauds Moldova for its firm commitment to democracy and its push to join the European Union, a move they even voted to enshrine in their Constitution in October 2024. For a small country facing constant Russian attempts to destabilize its government—including cutting off energy supplies and running sophisticated cyberattacks against their election systems—this kind of U.S. political backing is critical. It reinforces their sovereignty and provides political cover against future coercion. It’s Congress saying, “We see what you’re doing, and we support your choice to align with the West.”

Calling Out the Digital Dirt

One of the most interesting and specific parts of this resolution is the call for transparency regarding past interference. It specifically urges the European Commission to release the full report detailing exactly how Russia interfered in the 2024 Romanian presidential election, and it mentions information involving TikTok. This isn't just political theater; it’s a direct demand for intelligence sharing to expose the playbook of foreign interference. Releasing this information could provide crucial lessons for every democracy, including the U.S., on how digital platforms are being weaponized to sow chaos and influence elections.

What the U.S. Government Has to Do Now

Finally, the resolution directs the U.S. government to do two tangible things: strengthen its relationships with both countries and boost support for their security and election integrity ahead of their 2025 elections. This means more resources, more intelligence sharing, and more cooperation to help them secure their votes against things like fake bomb threats, vote buying schemes, and cyberattacks that target electoral commissions. For the people of Romania and Moldova, this means a stronger likelihood that their votes will actually count, free from foreign manipulation. For the U.S., it’s a clear investment in democratic stability in a region where the stakes couldn't be higher.