Federal funding earmarked for election security

In anticipation of the 2020 elections, federal lawmakers have approved $250 million in support of state and local governments’ efforts to strengthen election security.

The Senate Appropriations Committee recently granted approval to the allotment via an amendment to the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations bill, sponsored by Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Senate Appropriations FSGG Subcommittee Ranking Member Chris Coons (D-DE).

The funds would enable states to upgrade election technology, improve cybersecurity, and help prevent future cyberattacks.

“We know that the Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election, targeted our election infrastructure, and did so, according to Mr. Mueller, in sweeping and systematic fashion,” Leahy said. “This problem was not isolated to 2016 and we cannot be complacent now. These funds are critical to our national security and I look forward to working with Sen. Coons and others to increase this funding further in Congress.”

Coons said the nation’s elections were attacked in 2016 and believes they will be attacked again.

“Today, I’m pleased that, on a bipartisan basis, the Senate Appropriations Committee came to an agreement to provide $250 million in election security grants that will allow states to replace outdated election machinery and invest in cybersecurity,” he said. “This is a responsible investment and I’m grateful to Sen. Leahy for his leadership on this issue.”