House safe elections bill appears doomed in Senate

WASHINGTON — A bill backed by House Democrats that would send millions to states for election security measures and create cybersecurity standards for voting machines is expected to pass, but appears headed for the dustbin in the Republican-controlled Senate.

Democratic leaders used the elections bill on Wednesday to highlight President Donald Trump’s reluctance to acknowledge Russian meddling that was detailed in special counsel Robert Mueller’s report.

Republicans, while calling for election security, derided the Democratic legislation as a messaging bill that faces no chance of passing in the Senate where Majority Leader Mitch Mcconnell, R-KY., has refused to take up a flurry of Democrat-passed House measures.

The House is expected to vote on the bill Thursday, and it is expected to pass along party lines.

Senate Republicans blocked a similar bill on Tuesday.

The House bill would provide

$600 million in grants to states and local governments to tighten election security. It would also require a national strategy to protect against cyberattacks on election systems.

“Nevadans should never doubt that their votes count,” said Rep. Steven Horsford, D-nev. “I hope these funds will provide peace of mind for Nevadans at the ballot box and will address any concerns they have about election safety going forward.”

But Sen. Roy Blunt, R-MO., chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, said he would block legislation that takes state authority over elections and hands it to the federal government.

Other Republicans, in both the House and Senate, accused Democrats of playing politics with the bills that should be free of partisanship.

Contact Gary Martin at gmartin@ reviewjournal.com or 202-662-7390. Follow @garymartindc on Twitter.