After Trump-Putin Meeting, Klobuchar and Lankford Announce New Cosponsors of Bipartisan Secure Elections Act

Press Release

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee with oversight jurisdiction over federal elections, and James Lankford (R-OK) today announced the addition of two new cosponsors to their bipartisan Secure Elections Act--Senators Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Bill Nelson (D-FL), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Cyber Subcommittee. The additional cosponsors come just days after President Trump met with President Vladimir Putin who denied what American intelligence officials have found--that Russia interfered in the 2016 election and is working to do it again. The Secure Elections Act would strengthen America's election cybersecurity and protect against the possibility of future foreign interference by streamlining cybersecurity information-sharing between federal intelligence entities and state election agencies and providing security clearances to state election officials. The original cosponsors of the legislation are Senators Kamala Harris (D-CA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Richard Burr (R-NC), Mark Warner (D-VA), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM).

"We know Russia directed attacks against our elections and that they are continuing to target our democracy. After this week, it is more important than ever that Congress take action to protect our democracy," Klobuchar said. "With Senators Nelson and Rounds joining our bipartisan Secure Elections Act, we're one step closer to passing this legislation. The next election is only 111 days away--we can't afford to wait."

"I'm pleased that Senators Nelson and Rounds have joined our bipartisan bill, which already has the support of Intelligence Committee Chairman Burr and Vice Chairman Warner. I urge my colleagues in the Senate, and state leaders across America, to take a serious look at the Secure Elections Act. All signs point to Russia continuing this action, and other nations or hacktivist groups could follow Russia's example in the future; Congress must take action now to be ready," Lankford said.

"Free and fair elections are a cornerstone of our democracy. Countless Americans have died fighting for our ability to choose our leaders safely, freely and with high confidence in our system. Our adversaries are attacking our election system. While each state should continue to independently take responsibility for its own election process, we can help improve security by taking necessary steps to help safeguard our system and protect our democracy. Our legislation accomplishes this by streamlining information-sharing between intelligence agencies and providing states with additional tools to upgrade election security," Rounds said.

"We know that Russia interfered in our 2016 election and we know they will do it again unless we stop them. Everyone involved in our nation's electoral process should be taking this threat seriously and doing everything they can to help secure our elections," Nelson said.