According to Reuters, Sputnik radio began airing in the Washington area in late June at a sensitive time for relations between the United States and Russia with a special counsel and Congress looking into U.S. intelligence agency allegations that Moscow tried to swing the 2016 presidential election in Republican Donald Trump’s favor. Russia has repeatedly denied meddling in the election.
The FCC has jurisdiction over broadcast radio and TV stations that use the public airwaves, but not over websites.
“In Washington, D.C., listeners need only tune their radios to (translator) 105.5 FM to hear the Russian government’s effort to influence U.S. policy,” the three lawmakers said in a statement.
Representative Frank Pallone, the top Democrat on the Energy and Commerce Committee, and Representatives Anna Eshoo and Mike Doyle asked FCC chairman Ajit Pai to investigate.
“This means the Kremlin’s propaganda messages are being broadcast over a license granted by the FCC,” the U.S. House of Representative members said.
A spokesman for Pai declined to comment.
FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, a Democrat, said: “These are important questions. They deserve answers.”
Sputnik did not immediately respond to requests seeking comment.
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