National security leaders and advocacy groups urge Congress to send election funds to states

Former national security leaders of the Democratic and Republican administrations joined a coalition of left-wing advocacy groups on Monday to urge Congress to provide states with funds to allow elections to advance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Former Secretaries of State Madeleine Albright and John KerryJohn Forbes KerryHillicon Valley: Democrats Request Counterintelligence Information | New pressure for electoral financing | Republicans urge retaliation against Chinese hackers National security leaders, defense groups urge Congress to send election funds to states Dancing without a beat: Republican candidates look like Elaine in Seinfeld MORE, former secretaries of national security Michael Chertoff, Tom Ridge and Janet Napolitano, former director of national intelligence James ClapperJames Robert ClapperHillicon Valley: Democrats Request Counterintelligence Information | New pressure for electoral financing | Republicans urge retaliation against Chinese hackers National security leaders, defense groups urge Congress to send election funds to states Trump’s actions in China speak louder than Bolton’s words MORE, former secretary of defense Chuck HagelCharles (Chuck) Timothy HagelHillicon Valley: Democrats Request Counterintelligence Information | New pressure for electoral financing | Republicans urge retaliation against Chinese hackers Homeland security leaders, advocacy groups urge Congress to send election funds to states The Hill Campaign Report: The Democratic Unity Task Force Reveals Recommendations From The party platform and more than two dozen other leaders sent a letter to House and Senate leaders asking Congress to provide the funds.

“We know that hostile foreign actors such as China, Iran and Russia seek to question the integrity of our electoral systems,” they wrote. “These actors influence Americans by exploiting fear and confusion around the voting process. Failing to ensure that all citizens can vote safely will only give them material to further erode faith in our democratic system. ”

The leaders requested that Congress include funds to shore up the elections in the next COVID-19 stimulus package, noting that the previous $ 400 million allocated by Congress in the stimulus law signed by President TrumpDonald John TrumpDHS expands staff authority to collect information on people who threaten monuments: Republican report points to Trump’s payroll tax cut on Republican coronavirus bill, for now Trump threatens to duplicate Portland in other major cities PLUS in March it was not enough. Experts argue that states will need up to $ 4 billion to organize secure elections this year.

The letter, spearheaded by the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University, was sent the same day a coalition of left-wing advocacy groups launched a week of action in an effort to pressure the Senate to approve election funds as part of the HEROES approved by the Acting Chamber.

Groups put pressure on Senate majority leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellGOP points to Trump’s payroll tax cut on Republican coronavirus bill: for now, the White House, Senate Republican standoff over testing funds The Senate confirms that Vought will be the OMB director of Trump MORE (R-Ky.) To bring the stimulus package to the ground for a vote, which would include $ 3.6 billion to help states address challenges that include an increase in postal voting, early voting, and the training of poll workers.

The coalition urges McConnell to pass the bill this week when the Senate returns from recess, arguing that time is running out for the funds to be used before November. As part of this effort, the groups plan to push forward efforts including digital announcements, text messages, and community involvement every day this week to increase pressure on the Senate to act.

Groups lobbying the Senate to act include All On The Line, Color Of Change, Let America Vote / End Citizens United Action Fund, Indivisible, Public Citizen, Stand Up America, and The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.

“We’re running out of time. Failure to approve this funding is not just a waiver of responsibility, but a clear attempt to suppress the vote amid a pandemic, “Sean Eldridge, president and founder of Stand Up America, said in a statement.” The Senate must act this week”.

“In too many states during the primary season, long lines, closing polls, shortage of poll workers and insufficient training, broken machines, and unfulfilled absentee requests left many voters, particularly voters of color, voiceless, “Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, said in a separate statement.

She emphasized that “state and local governments need funds immediately so they can prepare for the November elections and implement common sense reforms such as unexcused absentee ballots, early in-person voting and online voter registration.”

The groups sent a letter to McConnell and other Republican leaders earlier this month urging him to bring the Senate back from recess to vote on the HEROES Act.

The momentum from the groups and former leaders comes as the election-focused Senate Standards Committee prepares to hold a hearing on Wednesday to examine preparation for the 2020 election. Witnesses expected to appear include the West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner (R) and Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett (R).

Chairman of the Senate Rules Committee Roy BluntRoy Dean Blunt, White House, Senate, Republican Showdown Over Trial Funds The Republican Party Plans More Than A Billion For Schools In Coronavirus Package Make Vulnerable Children A Priority In Response To Pandemic (R-Mo.) He blocked an effort by Democrats in June to pass legislation to expand mail and early voting during the pandemic, saying it would federalize the election.

But Blunt said he would hold the hearing and could support adding electoral funds to the Senate’s upcoming coronavirus stimulus package.

McConnell has not said whether he would back more funds. He supported the inclusion of funds for the elections in the latest stimulus package.

Former leaders and groups stressed the need to approve the funds as quickly as possible to ensure the integrity of this year’s elections.

“Americans must feel confident that their election officials have the resources to provide healthy options for all voters and ensure integrity in election results,” the former leaders wrote. “We urge you to provide funds to ensure that our elections are secure.”