Despite the highly partisan hearing with Attorney General William Bar on Wednesday, Republicans and Democrats did agree on one thing: Election and campaign security needs to improve by 2020, The Washington Post is reporting.
Both sides sought his support for legislation to require paper records for 2020 votes. They also want him to back their efforts to strengthen election infrastructure and in the fight against digital misinformation, the newspaper noted.
"The special counsel's report is the end of the road when it comes to the question of the Trump administration's intent," Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said. "But it is just the beginning of the conversation on how we counter Russia and other foreign adversaries in their attempts to undermine our Republic."
A new version of the bipartisan Secure Elections Act is set to be introduced shortly. An earlier version of the bill was pulled at the end of the last congressional session after the White House expressed concerns.
And the Post claimed, without White House support, it will be difficult to pass the new version. Barr was pushed for his support during the hearing, but said he was not familiar with the bill. However, he pledged to work with lawmakers "on securing our elections."
Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., asked the Justice Department help the 2020 candidates from being digitally compromised by Russia, China, and others.
And Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., asked if Barr "would support an effort by Congress, working with the administration, to harden our electoral infrastructure?"
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