At present the committee will come to order and can declare recess at any time. Was a recorded vote is ordered on the question for a measure hr 2722 securing american federal election act. And respond to the ongoing attempt of bureaucracy. And we all should know. And to interfere in the election and the 2016 president ial election. And we cannot be staged with the sophisticated cyberattacks. While but it is clear for the analysis of the Intelligence Community and the experts across the political spectrum that more must be done. Or state and local governments resources use the support to harden the election infrastructure before americans head to the polls. In 200 days therell be the first primary election of the 2020 election cycle. This is not a partisan perspective. That the Administration Director of National Intelligence dan coats and talking about the elections a little under a year ago we recognize our adversaries were up their game but that is not my analysis in the 2018 midterms is a big show of the president ial election. The states act with individual durable by a paper ballots to reap protect from manipulation. To equip the states with what is needed to ensure the accuracy. To authorize a 600 milliondollar commission to that election infrastructure while providing states with the hundred 75 billion sustainment funding this is appropriate by the Financial Services and gao bill. To foster accountability and Technology Leading a qualified election and muchneeded cybersecurity deadlines and with those safeguards to protect the system from attack including prohibition and the prohibition on election systems and conductivity. Ultimately this effect will improve the resilience and a goal that i know we all share. Today is not for to the now Ranking Member davis for any statements they may have. Thank you madam chair for car election infrastructure is at risk. Congress should Work Together in a bipartisan way to put a solution on the table Election Security should not be a part of this issue and all three of us on this committee and instead to put forth legislation it is disappointing for those who allow them to trust in their election system to have their votes protected. The majority insisted with a serious Election Security components if thats the case why are we here . Hr one fell flat with Public Opinion know we are here to mandate elections this is more of the same. What we would not hear about today is the work done at the last congress to provide funding for infrastructure to unprecedented cooperation with the federal stake holders. One single instance has been reported of interference which experienced record midterm turnout. Congresses role is not to create a federal takeover of election systems this is why introduced with my colleagues the Election Security assistance act to provide assistance to states to update the infrastructure to secure elections and provide cybersecurity. This is what i was asked to do by my Election Officials for a Bipartisan Group to secure at the local level. Every democrat and county clerk official who came to a meeting said these are their priorities. The ability to choose our leaders. The American People disserve to be protected without partisan politics so i yelled back the balance of my time. At this time all members are included without objection. We now call up the title of the legislation. And to have the infrastructure to carry out the elections and for other purposes it is considered read and open for amendment the chair recognizes itself the amendment has been made available to each member and the clerks will designate the amendment to each member and the clerks will designate the amendment. Without objection it will be considered as read for purposes of the amendment and shall be open at any point. I would like to explain what is in the amendment we worked hard and did have disagreements on hr one to secure the infrastructure. We did have a substantial effort and whether we mandate what is in the bill or work in a different way and i will let mister davis speak later. So it occurs to me if the russians had military weapons they wouldnt figure out how to counter that. So the next election it could be the chinese and others it could be other International Actors or nonstate actors. Given the nature of the attack on our country i believe its important and imperative to the nation responding which is why we have proposed this bill and i would like to explain to the initial senators in the amendment. First, to foster accountability for Election Technology vendors. That creates a qualified election infrastructure in the vendor designation in conjunction with dhs to pass cybersecurity guidelines to require vendors to follow those guidelines. And with that election infrastructure that is only permitted for those qualified vendors. And those that apply the paper ballot and with another set of standards of those devices. The requirements are that it is built in the manner where it is mechanically impossible and the device is consisting of hardware certified by the department of Homeland Security and is not capable of tabulating those it requires they are manufactured in the United States which is enormously important requirement. And we know we have a disability with the absolute right to vote even if they cannot mark with a pencil the capability to meet their needs. We will require software and hardware for which information is to closed. And we also prohibit Wireless Communications from the fbi that it with those Wireless Communication Systems and its a nightmare. Any wireless power line or communication and to prohibit connectivity. We think this is a sound measure to proceed when we return from the fourth of july recess, 17 legislative days before the august recess. And as we know we have Appropriations Bills eating up the schedule because certain members of the house believe there should be a recorded vote on every amendment that would normally be a voice vote so that takes a long period of time. So if we have a window to move the bill so i would ask if there are any other further amendments seeking recognition quick. To make the amendment offered it may be cited the election securities act. We waive the reading. Unanimous consent it is considered read. Thank you madam chair. This is the bill that was introduced by my colleagues and me after addressing many of the Election Security concerns in a bipartisan way this is a bill that preserves the system that we have which is a decentralized election system which allows for nefarious actors to do those various things. So if this markup and this bill is about foreign interference only, we are missing the point and then to do what they do best. And we have been wheat we have known each other since grade school through high school. To know darn well the most Fair Election and once every vote to be counted. But what this legislation does is take away mikes right to afford to upgrade the election software. But with the investment planning to invest in other types but that does nothing to address the concerns we all have to keep their election safe and secure. Our bill is a better bill is not onesizefitsall. It is a bipartisan way to sit down how we can come up with a bipartisan solution that we have not seen a lot. And usmc a. If there is anything that should be pie bipartisan its Election Security. Instead and on the Democratic Party deciding to leave this committee and congress into a piece of legislation far more about show and Christian County illinois. But here we go again. If we want to do something together then this provides that. And thats what democrats and officials in my district said they need the most. And the last thing we want as a congress is a federal government to be the clearinghouse the reason we have where we dont have a lot of outside revert reservist coming in. Clearly there are instances like North Carolina we have bad actors ironically using the same process. We want to make sure we have an amendment later i hope my colleagues can join us there. Talking about how to solve this problem in a bipartisan way and again they did not live up to the promise to the American People. That is unfortunate i certainly hope that changes certainly hope my colleagues on the other side support this amendment but i could tell you right now it will be. I have 22 seconds but i will yield that back. As a point of order that is germane to offer a proposal that recognizes the importance and with a different approach. I fully appreciate on the status quo but that solution that address the risks and threat the nation faces and those paper ballots in section one oh three. And it is a solution with the cybersecurity experts that they encourage congress to adopt that is the best way to ensure the ballot is cast they will see the vote clearly to verify the vote they intended to cast as the one recorded losing voter confidenc confidence. The safe act also requires costeffective to go hand in hand with the audit requirements page 41, line nine. This is the Gold Standard of Election Security this is the emergency or nation faces and to make a commitment to that proposal. The safe act section two oh one b on page 53 starting line three expressly prohibits wireless and internet conductivity upon which are marked by voters and tabulated or aggregated this is an important and basic cybex loan cybersecurity standard we ought to require nobody thinks this is a good idea. This is the best defense to a hightech threat so i would urge a no vote on this amendment does any member wish to be recognized for purposes of offering the amendment . This is a good amendment but i will yield back my time. And all my colleagues thought i was done. I certainly hope we can come together after the bill is forced to the floor and certainly hope we can come together and to my side of the aisle with collection officials thats why we have our bill. They dont want that heavy hand in washington. A lot of experts say that every single county should have this certain type but those that invested their hard earned tax dollars with ad equipment that could be just as secure but now the federal government says you will do this . What we do to limit ourselves . Thats why we have provisions to account for technological advances. Do we require that to happen again . And with that Election Security can do things. And thus lines in the polling places and by the way somebody may disagree with this and say it will never happen but to be more secure. So what do we do in the federal government with this piece of legislation to limit the ability to bring new and Safer Technology into the election system . Lets not do this. And to help my colleagues will join me. And unfortunately and then to both administer many of the things that my colleagues want to pass. Weirs was to be doing this already. And then to protect that Election Security. To turn that into a personnel meeting. And thats why we need to be serious about this. And those voter verified in the one hearing that we had. Why are we mandating people like mike and Christian County illinois at the federal level to do something and pay for it . That may not be the most secure process. I will yield back to my colleague mister walker. Any other member . You are recognized for five minutes. A lot of the things my colleague says i do agree with but he made a comment on the record i want to verify. And ed not to submit them so i just want to make the record clearer thank you. Any other member wish to be heard . Then we will have a vote on the amendment those in favor . And those opposed . In the opinion of the chair the nose have it. And mister davis has asked for a recorded vote. Called the role. [roll call] the amendment is not agreed to. Madam chair have an amendment at the desk. The amendment of the substitute. The reading of the amendment is waived and the gentleman is recognized for five minutes. A point of order is reserved. Madam chair this goes to what we were talking about what the states use paper balances overreach the historical and constitutional roles and localities they should choose whats best for their own citizens. With the logistical and fiscal concerns we are vulnerable as we saw in North Carolina congressional districts tampered with paper ballots that is where bad actors both parties, that is where they can play a role to determine the outcome of the election. This is as much Election Security issue as others in a bipartisan way. The mandatory paper ballots how this exists in the future but the majority wants us to do time and time again is increase the wait time. I thought that is what we are trying to stop . Will require more training of poll workers this provision requires paper ballots to be counted by hand to eliminate the modern technology currently used in every jurisdiction in the community addressed by many of the witnesses for the one hearing that is scheduled for a markup. Not one witness claimed but those were full and with those administrators of my own state i know there is an overwhelming support for those that have the option to choose those voting methods. There is no basis for proposal of ballots additionally i recognize the paper ballots that i am concerned that will bring us back to the days of hanging chads in florida during the president ial election of 2000 the paper ballot would be detrimental to the Elderly Community we need to make sure every eligible american has the opportunity to vote. You will hear a lot about assisted voting devices. Is not the same as the dre machines with those jurisdictions. And with the federal mandate to have those devices in place to drop that optical scanned as an added cost one an added cost as an unfunded mandate. So just be honest and do it. Try to run that through. The less not use paper ballots for the unfunded mandate. So with that i reserve the balance of my time. The gentleman yields back. A point of order is withdrawn. Striking that mandate because that would completely undermine the bill section one oh two those that have all federal elections with Section Three oh four a. D. On page 41 line nine i simply cannot be sure is clear from outside interference unless we have a paper trail to confirm results voter verified paper ballots are the best way to ensure as cast that they should feel to see their votes clearly and verify the vote that they intended is the one recorded according to those Voting Machines and what election official said must be real placed before 2020 so we need to ensure that the faith in our democracy is preserved and the safe act on page three requires the paper ballots but we also submit on page 60 line 15 those that use electronic machines with those requirements continue to do so through 2020. These are not as secure as paper but not as dangerous as paper so in order to ensure the most vulnerable machines are taken off the market to prioritize the replacement to provide two extra years to replace t loan dre we also require that paper ballots are available at all locations in order to ensure to maximize on voter verified and this reduces the risk and creates a trail one thing that every american should know is they cast their ballot it is counted as cast. And that requirement somehow we would make this optional but when the election attack occurred in the last election that was to the next election the good people but that wouldnt be if it was actual miss missiles or those cybermissiles this is an attack on the federal system and we need a federal response i oppose the amendment to other wish to be heard . I moved to strike the last word. Forgive me for being laid i was on the floor with this legislation it is of importance to the American People and with the opposition to the gentleman from illinois. Let me speak to say what we are doing here we are rising to the defense i am surprised to hear people are questioning the role that congress has to the republican form of government. Based on democracies that work at that electoral participation for those that were embodied and Congress Also has the power and the authority with the 14th amendment to give equal protection rights for everybody and that is the basis with a lot of federal action to indicate the Voting Rights of people that is the basis for the Voting Rights act of 1965 and to amend the constitution and those are the claims as a violation and on the contrary that everybodys vote is actually counted. So the individual paper ballots in the cyberage in the wake of special counsel mueller is a sweeping and systematic attack on american democracy in 2016. That is not any kind of partisan invention its a comprehensive campaign with that propaganda of the surveillance of sabotage and to directly attack the l election machinery and more than 30 states to hack into the Computer Systems and more than 30 different states that is a matter for extraordinary alarm in the worlds first modern political democracy that we hang on to our territory integrity and sovereignty and selfgovernment. And to attack for that democracy is far superior to the hypocrisy they god of their and through that systematic cybercampaign that intelligence agencies have them coming back again they never stop this as part of a Global Campaign in europe and asia and africa so this legislation is essential the American People want and deserve the paper ballots against the computer manipulation so i oppose this in a strongly support the legislation. Other members who wish to be heard . All those in favor . All those opposed . The amendment is not agreed to. We will have a roll call. [roll call] the amendment to the amendment is under order. Reserve a point of order. Your recognize for five minutes and support. And while the amendment is the paper aspect, i will speak on the entirety of the paper ballot of what we are talking about here. The russians from last year was not the first year they try to attack us and i have a background in Information Technology and cybersecurity and the Intelligence Community. And for years and years and to rise to the defense this is the exact opposite of what we should be doing. Yes i did get into election database by what they did not get into is the actual voting machine. There are aspects i think we can address so why are the russians to get as far as they did . And with any type of military operation if you see a threat you have to respond to that threat. So the cybersecurity coordinator for president obama was told to stand down he said the russians were actively getting into our security system. And the fact that you are not responding to that makes them vulnerable. That is the database which is bad. Here is the problem with the paper ballot. I have spent a lot of my career helping people to automate on the secure basis. The risk that we face and what is most susceptible for voter fraud . With that is your primary method of voting. They dont even like signature verification. So with those experts that were here before with verification i have been fighting for this in the state legislature and speaking about it here with the dre to verify the person to allow us to move more people through quick more polling places open to use your technology with paper backup report to use that automation and to verify in a secure box. Is there a need for a recount . Then you have that backup the problem with this is a primary reason that they actually created a new language. These are manual ballots we have gotten away from that because there is a lot we should be doing on Election Security but we are the wrong people to be doing it it is the boots on the ground managing to make sure they are safe and secure. And here is another thing what the russians are after is not to disrupt the election system i promise that i want the guy whos in the white house any more than anybody else. And right now the federal government has the lowest Approval Rating than in history. So that we take over the election system that will further deteriorate and play into the hands of what they want. Thats why i am submitting this amendment also in support of the other amendment to step back. What is the actual thing we should be doing . Not is perpetuating but what we try to get away from ballot harvesting. I yield back. And now the gentle lady from california withdraws or amendment. And then that amendment strikes the recycled paper amendment it was proved unanimously by the house and the liberation of hr one. And that gentlemans discussion with the overall issue and i have addressed that issue of that prior amendment that was defeated. Or to challenge the gentleman in any way but to say that the security of the entire nation is more with the county officials and the paper ballot and heard from experts repeatedly is where we need to go. And therefore there should be opposed