washington three democratic lawmakers want u.s. communications watchdog investigate whether russian government-funded radio station news site sputnik violate government regulations broadcast program aim influence u.s. policies elections sputnik radio begin air washington area late june sensitive time relations unite state russia special counsel congress look u.s. intelligence agency allegations moscow try swing 2016 presidential election republican donald trump favor russia repeatedly deny meddle election federal communications commission jurisdiction broadcast radio tv station use public airwaves websites washington d.c. listeners need tune radio 105.5 fm hear russian government effort influence u.s. policy three lawmakers say statement representative frank pallone top democrat energy commerce committee representatives anna eshoo mike doyle ask fcc chairman ajit pai investigate mean kremlin propaganda message broadcast license grant fcc u.s. house representative members say spokesman pai decline comment fcc commissioner jessica rosenworcel democrat say important question deserve answer sputnik immediately respond request seek comment reuters report april russian government think tank control vladimir putin develop plan swing election undermine american voters faith electoral system cite three current four former u.s. officials russia dismiss report false reuters report march 2016 kremlin instruct state-backed media outlets include international platforms russia today know rt sputnik news agency start produce positive report trump quest u.s. presidency officials say sputnik april reject assertions u.s. officials participate kremlin campaign absolute pack lie rt say online story last week justice department demand company provide production operations service rt america register foreign agents registration act fara last week yahoo news report fbi question former white house correspondent sputnik news agency part probe determine company act arm russian government could violate fara sputnik tell yahoo news assertion sputnik anything credible news outlet false lawmakers want watchdog probe russian radio 's 'propaganda u.s