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WASHINGTON – House Republicans voted today to reject a motion restoring $380 million to help state and local election officials upgrade outdated voting technology, counter cyberattacks and address other election vulnerabilities. The vote failed along strictly partisan lines, 182-232. Congressman Tonko issued the following statement in response:

“With their vote today, Congressional Republicans put politics and allegiance to party over common sense and their duty to the American people. Our nation’s top intelligence experts have been unanimous and clear: Russia continues to engage in active and coordinated attacks on our democracy, including working to undermine the legitimacy of our elections. Despite knowing full well that Americans’ votes are in jeopardy, the Republican majority continues to sit on their hands.

“An empty promise from Presidents Putin and Trump will not safeguard our elections or stop these destabilizing attacks. Doing nothing in the face of an unambiguous assault on our democratic principles and homeland security is an inexcusable failure.”

Director of National Intelligence and former Republican Senator Dan Coats recently described the threat of Russian attacks, saying, "It was in the months prior to September 2001 when, according to then-CIA Director George Tenet, the system is blinking red. And here we are nearly two decades later, and I'm here to say, the warning lights are blinking red again."

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