House Democrats announce new task force to protect election infrastructure from cyber attacks

In the wake of mounting reports that actors within the Russian government worked to compromise the 2016 President election, a group of Democratic House leaders recently announced a new task force that aims to ensure the health and security of the nation’s election systems.

Developed by House Minority Leader U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi
(D-CA), House Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member U.S. Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), and House Administration Committee Ranking Member U.S. Rep. Bob Brady (D-PA), the Congressional Task Force on Election Security will seek to address the lack of attention that has been paid to securing election infrastructure.

The task force will also serve as a forum for members to hear from professionals with expertise in cybersecurity and election infrastructure to identify policy recommendations to mitigate and prevent future cyberattacks on election systems.

“The integrity of our democracy itself is under threat from the Russians,” Pelosi said. “But we see an appalling absence of action, or even concern, from President Trump and Congressional Republicans. Democrats won’t allow Putin’s assault on American democracy to go unchallenged.”

According to recent reports from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 21 states had their election systems breached and voter records containing personal information were stolen during the last election cycle.

“Looking towards the future, we must be able to put politics aside for the good of the country and work together to protect against efforts to undermine our cherished democratic institutions,” Thompson said. “I look forward to working with Ranking Member Brady and my colleagues to get answers for the American people and prevent future damage to our democracy.”