Rep. Elise Stefanik delivers her victory speech late on the night of Nov. 6, 2018, at the Queensbury Hotel in Glens Falls. (Photo — Jenn March, for the Post-Star)

North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, along with Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., just introduced the Vladimir Putin Transparency Act.

The bipartisan legislation would instruct U.S. intelligence to collect and submit a report to Congress on Putin and his allies’ financial assets and secretive networks.

“Putin and his political allies seek to weaken democracies worldwide by consolidating their political control through unethical means,” Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, said in a statement. “I am proud to co-sponsor this bill, which aims to identify Putin and his allies for who they are: nefarious political actors undermining democracies.”

Stefanik and Demings previously introduced the bipartisan Defend Against Russian Disinformation Act, designed to strengthen America’s response to Russian interference in U.S. elections.

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VA hiring

Stefanik also recently co-sponsored the VA Hiring Enhancement Act. The legislation is aimed at reducing VA physician vacancies by leveling the playing field in the hiring process and making hiring guidelines more consistent with already established requirements.

It is designed to make the Veterans Health Administration a more attractive employer and increase competition.

“Unfortunately, one of the reasons wait times at the VA tend to be longer than civilian health-care facilities is due to the amount of physician vacancies,” Stefanik said.

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Sexual harassment

Stefanik also introduced the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Harassment Act, along with Reps. Cheri Bustos, Pramila Jayapal and Morgan Griffith.

The legislation would void forced arbitration agreements that prevent survivors of sexual harassment from receiving the justice they deserve, according to her release.

It would allow victims to discuss their cases publicly and eliminate institutional protection for harassers.

“Sexual harassment in the workplace is an epidemic, and I’m proud to stand with the brave men and women who come forward and share their stories,” Stefanik said. “Too often, victims are pushed aside while their harassers are protected, leaving many to wonder why they decided to come forward in the first place. This is both backwards and unacceptable.”