Intelligence reports make it clear that Russia hacked presidential campaign accounts from both parties, launched cyberattacks against at least 21 state election systems, attacked a U.S. voting systems software company, and illegally obtained emails from more than 100 local election officials; In response to these attacks on our election system, in January 2017 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) determined that election infrastructure should be designated as a subsector of the existing Government Facilities critical infrastructure sector

In a letter, Klobuchar and Lankford call on DHS Secretary Kristjen Nielsen to do more to fully protect our systems, including improving information sharing between states and the federal government and providing states with resources, best practices, and manpower to help combat attacks and update voting technology; The senators have also developed bipartisan legislation to require DHS cooperation and leadership on establishing information sharing processes and improving election cybersecurity

WASHINGTON, DC – As Department of Homeland (DHS) Security Secretary Kristjen Nielsen begins her tenure, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and James Lankford (R-OK) have urged her to prioritize election cybersecurity. Intelligence reports make it clear that Russia hacked presidential campaign accounts from both parties, launched cyberattacks against at least 21 state election systems, attacked a U.S. voting systems software company, and illegally obtained emails from more than 100 local election officials. In response to these attacks on our election system, in January 2017 the DHS determined that election infrastructure should be designated as a subsector of the existing Government Facilities critical infrastructure sector. In a letter, Klobuchar and Lankford call on DHS Secretary Nielsen to do more to fully protect our systems, including improving information sharing between states and the federal government and providing states with resources, best practices, and manpower to help combat attacks and update voting technology. The senators have also developed bipartisan legislation to require DHS cooperation and leadership on establishing information sharing processes and improving election cybersecurity.

“We write to express concern about the security of U.S. election systems and to urge you to prioritize election cybersecurity as you begin your tenure as Secretary. Election security is national security, and our election systems have become a target for foreign adversaries,” the senators wrote. “Given your significant experience across administrations, within the Department, and on issues of cybersecurity, we are hopeful that under your leadership DHS will make securing our election infrastructure a top priority.”

The senators continued, “We must do everything in our power to protect our democracy from future attacks. Time is of the essence, the next federal election is less than a year away.”

As Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee with oversight jurisdiction over federal elections, Klobuchar has introduced legislation to improve the security of U.S. election systems and make commonsense improvements to election administration. Klobuchar and Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) have also introduced the bipartisan Stop Foreign Donations Affecting Our Elections Act to strengthen disclosure by requiring federal campaigns to use existing credit card verification protocols to help verify that online credit card donations come from U.S. sources. In June, Klobuchar introduced the Helping State and Local Governments Prevent Cyber Attacks Act to help combat foreign interference by providing state and local governments with the information and resources they need to keep our elections secure and improve voter confidence.

In addition, Klobuchar has led Senate Rules Committee Democrats in a call for hearings and briefings on foreign attempts to hack into U.S. election systems and improving cybersecurity. Klobuchar also 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.

Senator Lankford serves on the Senate Intelligence Committee, which is investigating foreign interference during the American 2016 presidential campaign and election. Lankford also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science, and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Department Homeland Security, which both have jurisdiction of election and cybersecurity entities.

The full text of the senators’ letter is below.

Dear Secretary Nielsen,

We write to express concern about the security of U.S. election systems and to urge you to prioritize election cybersecurity as you begin your tenure as Secretary.

Election security is national security, and our election systems have become a target for foreign adversaries. Intelligence reports make it clear that Russia hacked presidential campaign accounts from both parties, launched cyberattacks against at least 21 state election systems, attacked a U.S. voting systems software company, and illegally obtained emails from more than 100 local election officials. National security officials continue to sound the alarm that our voting systems will remain a target in future elections.

In response to these attacks on our election system, in January 2017 the Department of Homeland Security determined that election infrastructure should be designated as a subsector of the existing Government Facilities critical infrastructure sector. This was an important step towards ensuring that election systems, including voting machines, voter registration databases, and other systems used to administer elections and store election data are prioritized and protected. However, more must be done to fully protect our systems.

For example, we must improve information sharing between the federal government and states regarding threats and ensure that security clearances for appropriate state election officials are expedited so that they can receive relevant information.  We must also provide states with resources, best practices and manpower to help combat attacks and update voting technology. State and local election officials are on the front lines of our democratic process. It is wrong to leave them defenseless against sophisticated cyber hackers backed by the Kremlin and other adversaries.

We have worked across the aisle with colleagues from both the Senate and the House to develop legislation that would help protect our election systems. Our Senate legislation requires DHS cooperation and leadership on establishing information sharing processes and improving election cybersecurity. Given your significant experience across administrations, within the Department, and on issues of cybersecurity, we are hopeful that under your leadership DHS will make securing our election infrastructure a top priority.

We must do everything in our power to protect our democracy from future attacks. Time is of the essence, the next federal election is less than a year away.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter, I look forward to working with you.

Sincerely, 

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