Democratic Leaders of Science Committee (Again) Call on Chairman to Address Election Cybersecurity Concerns and Foreign Influence Operations
(Washington, DC) – Today, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight, Congressman Donald S. Beyer Jr. (D-VA) sent a second formal request to Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) to hold a hearing on election security issues. This is the fourth time in five months that Ms. Johnson and Mr. Beyer have requested that the Chairman fulfill his oversight obligation to review the security of the U.S. election infrastructure. A similar formal written request was sent to Chairman Smith in January and two oral requests were made by Ranking Member Johnson and Ranking Member Beyer last year at two cybersecurity focused hearings in October and November.
In the letter, they wrote: “The ability of all U.S. citizens to safely and securely vote is fundamental to our democracy. Through the Committee’s jurisdiction over cybersecurity standards and technologies in general we have a vital responsibility to each and every American to ensure that their votes are appropriately counted and that foreign, domestic, or other actors do not surreptitiously interfere with, manipulate or otherwise unlawfully influence our election infrastructure, voting polls and election results. Hardening, improving and strengthening the vitality, robustness and security of our election infrastructure should be a primary pursuit of the Science Committee.”
“Today, once again, we are asking you to fulfill your duty and hold a serious, nonpartisan, review of steps local, state and federal officials can take to ensure that there is robust confidence in our voting infrastructure and our election outcomes each and every time American citizens enter a voting booth. We should also investigate the types of tools and technologies that are available to help identify and counter foreign influence operations against the American public. Using the Committee’s legitimate oversight authority we can also help deter potential attacks against our democracy by addressing ways to help local and state polling places to harden their individual election infrastructures against potential sabotage or attack.”
“The Science Committee can and should play a decisive role in helping the entities involved in coordinating elections and securing the results from voters understand the cybersecurity threats they face and the tools, technologies and resources available to help them fulfill their jobs to ensure free, fair and secure elections. We stand ready, once again, to work with you in a constructive and nonpartisan way to fulfill the Committee’s oversight obligation regarding this critical issue.”
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