U.S. Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., turned her attention to election security this week as she went to bat for her party on Capitol Hill.
Back in August, Demings was selected to serve on Democrats’ “Congressional Task Force on Election Security" which will “focus on how to bolster the security of election infrastructure ahead of the 2018 election” and “be a forum for members of Congress to hear from election infrastructure experts on both physical security and cybersecurity challenges and identify actions that should be taken to help ensure the integrity of our election systems and guard against future attacks." The task force, which does not include a single member of the Republican majority, is led by U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., the ranking Democrat on the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee, and U.S. Rep. Robert Brady, D-Penn., the ranking Democrat on the U.S. House Administration Committee. Despite not a single Republican serving on the task force, Demings has insisted the group is not partisan.
This week, Demings showcased a report from liberal group the Center for American Progress which gave Florida a “F” grade on election security.
“This timely report indicates that Florida’s election system is not only shamefully vulnerable, but also lacks proper tools to uncover breaches or interference,” Demings said. “It is utterly unacceptable that Florida is failing in so many regards. Florida was targeted in Russia’s 2016 hacks, while Orange County's election database was not breached, we must ensure that they and all counties have the resources they need to protect themselves from hostile foreign powers”
Failing to acknowledge the partisan nature of the Congressional Task Force on Election Security, Demings highlighted her work on it.
“With our elections under attack by foreign powers, especially Russia, it is vital that we move swiftly,” she said. “As a member of the Congressional Task Force on Election Security, I’m working hard to ensure that the federal government is doing all it can to assist states in securing our elections. We will be introducing new legislation soon to protect American elections from foreign interference.
“Our republic was founded on the belief that we—the American people—should be able to choose our future,” Demings concluded. "Our most fundamental right is the right to cast a vote, for that vote to be counted, and for that count to matter. One person, one vote. Our democracy is the last true equalizer. We must protect it.”
On Wednesday, the Democrats on the task force unveiled a report on Russian and other efforts to influence the 2016 elections and the “Election Security Act,” a bill calling for $1 billion for election security.
Demings joined her fellow Democrats in backing the proposal.
“Our democracy is under attack. Russia targeted the 2016 election in at least 21 states, including Florida,” she said. “The threat is real, and this crucial report is a first step to securing American elections and American freedom. Our voting system security has not kept pace with the current and emerging threats. That’s why I am introducing with my colleagues The Election Security Act to protect our democracy.”
