It’s A Disgrace That Trump & GOP Congress Have Not Acted To Prevent Future Russian Election Meddling
FRED WERTHEIMER’S WEEKLY NOTE | FEBRUARY 15, 2018
“It is a national disgrace that Trump and the Republican leadership in Congress have taken no action to prevent Russia from sabotaging U.S. elections.”
The heads of the nation’s intelligence agencies agreed in Senate testimony this week that “Russia is continuing efforts to disrupt the U.S. political system and is targeting the 2018 midterm elections, following its successful operation to sow discord in the most recent presidential campaign.”
The intelligence chiefs made clear to the country that, if steps aren’t taken to stop interference by Russia or other foreign powers, we face losing control of our own elections.
This unanimous position of the intelligence agencies came in sharp contrast to President Trump’s indefensible and irresponsible position that the claims of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election are a hoax.
In line with Trump’s denial of reality, the White House has failed to take any action, and there is no coordinated government effort to prevent Russian intervention in the midterm elections, or in future U.S. elections.
Our elections are at the heart of our democracy. It is a national disgrace that Trump and the Republican leadership in Congress have taken no action to prevent Russia from sabotaging U.S. elections.
One of the most important steps Congress can take is to provide federal funds to help upgrade the inadequate security protections that exist in many state election systems.
The Secure Elections Act (S. 2261), bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), would provide necessary federal funds for states to strengthen their security systems.
The FY18 Omnibus Appropriations bill is scheduled for Senate consideration next month. It will provide perhaps the best opportunity for Congress to enact the funding contained in the Lankford-Klobuchar bill. It will also present a critical leadership test for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
Senator McConnell has this in his hands. He can either provide the leadership necessary to strengthen the ability of the states to protect against Russian sabotage of our elections, or he can stand by and do nothing and let this dangerous threat grow far worse.
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Fred Wertheimer is the Founder and President of Democracy 21, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to strengthen our democracy and ensure the integrity and fairness of government decisions and elections.
