Senate Rules Committee Ranking Member Klobuchar Calls for Hearings on Cybersecurity and Foreign Attempts to Hack into U.S. Election Systems

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator and Senate Rules Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar and Committee Democrats have called for hearings on foreign attempts to hack into U.S. election systems. A January 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment concluded that Russia obtained and maintained access to elements of multiple U.S. state and local electoral boards. On Tuesday, there was a report that Russian hackers attacked systems in 39 states, a number that far exceeds what was previously reported. In a letter, Senate Rules Committee Democrats urged Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL) to hold hearings detailing the full extent of hacking attempts of state and local election infrastructure. The senators also requested that the hearings cover plans to strengthen election cybersecurity moving forward.

"As the threat of foreign interference in our elections systems persists, we urge you to hold hearings detailing the full extent of hacking attempts of state and local election infrastructure," the senators wrote. "These hearings should also cover the Election Assistance Commission's plans to strengthen election cybersecurity moving forward. This is essential to preventing future foreign interference in our elections."

The letter has been signed by Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Tom Udall (D-NM), Mark Warner (D-VA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Angus King (I-ME), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV).

Klobuchar was named the Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee in November 2016, a position previously held by now Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York. The committee is responsible for the operations of the Senate and oversees the administration of federal elections. In February, Klobuchar led a group of 26 senators in calling for a full account of the Election Assistance Commission's (EAC) efforts to address cybersecurity threats.

Source