Recent reports indicate that the Russian military attempted to breach U.S. voting systems days before the 2016 presidential election by launching a cyberattack on a U.S. based voting supplier and on the email accounts of more than 100 local election officials
In a letter to National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster, Klobuchar also requested that information that could be helpful to protecting critical infrastructure be made publicly available immediately
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration with oversight jurisdiction over federal elections, has called for a classified briefing for the Committee on any efforts to hack U.S. voting systems. Recent reports indicate that the Russian military attempted to breach U.S. voting systems days before the 2016 presidential election by launching a cyberattack on a U.S. based voting supplier and on the email accounts of more than 100 local election officials. In a letter to National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster, Klobuchar also requested that information that could be helpful to protecting critical infrastructure be made publicly available immediately.
“As Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee with oversight jurisdiction over federal elections, I request a classified briefing for the Committee on the full extent of Russian interference in U.S. election systems. As the Senate continues to investigate the full extent of Russia’s attack on our election system, it is vital that we have all of the information necessary to ensure that future elections are safeguarded from foreign interference,” Klobuchar wrote. “In addition to a classified briefing for the Senate Rules Committee, I request that you consider making information that could be helpful to protecting critical infrastructure publicly available immediately.”
Klobuchar continued, “Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our democracy. It is clear that a foreign adversary attempted to subvert the very process that defines our political system. We cannot let this happen going forward and need all of the information available about Russia’s attack as soon as possible.”
In February, Klobuchar led a group of 26 senators in calling for a full account of the Election Assistance Commission’s (EAC) efforts to address Russian cybersecurity threats. In early January, Klobuchar introduced legislation with four other senators to create an independent, nonpartisan commission to comprehensively investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election. Klobuchar was recently in Ukraine, the Baltic states, and Georgia to reinforce support for our Eastern European allies and to focus on mounting international cybersecurity threats. The bipartisan congressional delegation was led by Republican Senator John McCain from Arizona, the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and also included Klobuchar and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.
The full text of Klobuchar’s letter is below:
Dear General McMaster:
As Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee with oversight jurisdiction over federal elections, I request a classified briefing for the Committee on the full extent of Russian interference in U.S. election systems.
Recent reports indicate that the Russian military attempted to breach U.S. voting systems days before the 2016 presidential election by launching a cyber-attack on a U.S. based voting software supplier and on the email accounts of more than 100 local election officials. This information is deeply concerning and goes beyond what was outlined in the December 2016 report from 17 U.S. intelligence agencies on Russian interference in our election.
As the Senate continues to investigate the full extent of Russia’s attack on our election system, it is vital that we have all of the information necessary to ensure that future elections are safeguarded from foreign interference. While I understand that certain information must remain classified, protecting our election infrastructure requires information-sharing with the federal, state, and local officials who are responsible for overseeing and administering elections. In addition to a classified briefing for the Senate Rules Committee, I request that you consider making information that could be helpful to protecting critical infrastructure publicly available immediately.
Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our democracy. It is clear that a foreign adversary attempted to subvert the very process that defines our political system. We cannot let this happen going forward and need all of the information available about Russia’s attack as soon as possible.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this request.
Sincerely,
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