House Democratic leaders hold hearing on fair elections and voting rights

[0:00] And our witnesses today will walk us through these dangers, and we will hear from them shortly. [0:06] But before we dive in, I want to frame the larger conversation. [0:09] The Broward County constituents that I talk to every day share one single unifying concern. [0:15] How are they going to pay their bills? [0:17] From gas, groceries, rent, and health insurance, life is just too damn expensive. [0:24] They can't get ahead, no matter how hard they try. [0:27] And because Republicans have no answers to address the surging cost of living, they join in with Donald Trump to focus on rigging the election rules. [0:35] That's why Trump just blindsided a good and bipartisan piece of legislation that can address our neighbors' concerns about housing costs by refusing to sign the 21st century road to housing bill and throwing a tantrum. [0:48] And it's fitting that he's holding it hostage for an elections bill that would address a non-existent problem by making it harder for tens of millions of Americans to vote. [0:56] And it's Trump's broader assault on America's election security that we'll focus on today. [1:01] Like any public infrastructure, our local ballot boxes need upkeep and security funding to ensure a free and fair process. [1:09] Despite pleas for help from election officials, Republicans in Congress are starving them of the resources they need, [1:15] slashing last year's already insufficient allocation by two-thirds down to a measly $15 million for the whole country. [1:23] Trump wasted that much on a no-bid contract to repaint the reflecting pool. [1:29] And just as artificial intelligence is unleashed, Trump has unraveled cybersecurity efforts and coordination between CISA, Homeland Security, and local election officials. [1:38] At the same time, Trump wants to usurp states and local election experts to make it harder for minorities and low-income parents to cast a ballot. [1:46] He's pushed unconstitutional voter ID, mail-in ballot, and voting system rules that are being challenged in courts. [1:52] And partisan Republicans on the Supreme Court have systematically gutted the Voting Rights Act and ignored voter-backed anti-gerrymandering laws, [2:00] allowing Republican governors in states like mine to carve up communities. [2:04] Of course, none of that helps our constituents pay their bills or see a doctor. [2:08] But if Trump can't convince the American people to vote for his failed agenda, he's more than happy to break the rules to suppress their vote. [2:17] And Trump's persistent election lies provide the distraction and cover-up he needs to keep up his cascade of corruption so he and his cronies can enrich themselves by the billions. [2:26] And Americans get it. [2:28] My Broward County neighbors know that Trump's Qatari jet, gilded ballrooms, and pay-to-play pardons don't help any of them pay their mortgage or their rent. [2:36] They know that when Trump creates a $2 billion slush fund for January 6th rioters, Social Security doesn't get more solvent. [2:45] Everyone outside the president's cult can see the obvious connection between these high prices and all his rabid corruption and voter fraud conspiracies. [2:53] But if anyone is unclear about it, we're going to clear it up today. [2:56] So thank you again for joining us. [2:59] And now I'll hand it off to our Democratic leader and the next speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Hakeem Jeffries. [3:04] Well, good afternoon. Thank you very much to Steering and Policy Co-Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz. [3:10] Let me also thank our Steering and Policy Co-Chairs Robin Kelly and Annette Baragon for once again convening us, [3:17] particularly on this incredibly important subject around election integrity and continuing to lean in on behalf of the people of the United States of America in our 250th year. [3:31] Let me also thank Ranking Member Joe Morelli, who has been doing a tremendous job leading the charge to ensure that the principle of free and fair elections in the United States of America is uplifted and validated [3:45] as we approach the all-important midterm elections, where it's the American people who should have the ability in an unfettered way to decide who is in the majority in the House and in the Senate [4:00] and who serves them in public office all across the United States of America. [4:05] I'm thankful to our extraordinary panel of witnesses, Michael, Maya, Gretchen and Robert, for your presence here today, your leadership and for sharing your insight and wisdom with the American people here on Capitol Hill [4:21] and for all that you are doing to protect the integrity of our elections as we move forward. [4:28] Donald Trump and Republicans, who have been in complete control of government since January of 2025, have been a complete and total failure. [4:39] Donald Trump and Republicans promised to lower costs on day one, but costs haven't gone down, costs have gone up. [4:47] In the United States of America, life has become more expensive. [4:50] Donald Trump and Republicans promised to love and cherish Medicaid and then turned around and enacted the one big ugly bill, [4:59] which included the largest cut to Medicaid in American history, ripping health care away from millions of Americans all across the country, including in rural America. [5:13] Donald Trump and Republicans promised not to start wars in the Middle East, but to stop them and then turned around and launched a reckless and costly war of choice. [5:28] It's Operation Epic Failure that has left the American people less secure, left Iran stronger than they were before the war and has dramatically increased gas prices and food prices [5:44] who are already suffocating in the Trump Republican economy. [5:51] Donald Trump and Republicans have failed the American people, which is why they've concluded that the only way that they can win in November is to cheat. [6:01] And that's so inconsistent with who we are as Americans. [6:07] But Donald Trump, of course, has shown openly his willingness to challenge the principle of free and fair elections here in the United States of America. [6:20] He's continued to spread lies about the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections. [6:29] He's continued to promote reckless conspiracy theories. [6:34] And he, of course, has continued to hire in high levels of governmental office election deniers and January 6th violent insurrectionists. [6:49] This is all leading to an attack on the upcoming 2026 elections. [6:55] And he will use every weapon at his disposal connected to the federal government to sow distrust and destroy the integrity of our elections, which is why, not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans, [7:13] the effort to make sure that there are free and fair elections in the United States of America as the central tenet of representative democracy is so important. [7:27] That's why this hearing is so important. [7:30] That's why this effort is so important, particularly in the face of the Supreme Court recklessly gutting the Voting Rights Act and setting in motion Jim Crow-like tactics hiding in plain sight throughout the Deep South. [7:51] America deserves better, America deserves better, our democracy deserves better, the children and their future in representative democracy deserve better. [8:07] And so we stand ready to protect our elections, to ensure that it's the American people, not Donald Trump, and his corrupt tactics are the ones who determine who gets to serve them in Congress and in public office across the land. [8:26] So let me thank again our witnesses, we look forward to your testimony, and it's now my honor to yield to a fellow New Yorker, upstate New York, but a tremendous advocate for the people of the Empire State and all across the country, particularly as it relates to election integrity, the ranking member and future chair of the House Administration Committee, my friend, Joe Morelli. [8:54] Thank you so much, Mr. Leader, it's a privilege to be here with the steering and policy hearing on protecting American democracy. [9:02] And I want to thank co-chairs Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Robin Kelly and Annette Baragon for convening us for their leadership and always for their friendship. [9:11] Thank all my other colleagues who are here as well for your partnership on so many important issues, and to the folks who've been here to testify, thank you for your leadership and all you do, certainly in this moment, but every moment, to defend democracy. [9:27] And I want to thank Hakeem Jeffries, his leadership, first of all, of our caucus, has provided an indispensable check on this administration, on all of the things that they've done to break, shatter protocols, to violate the Constitution, to violate American law. [9:45] And he has kept us together, kept us pointed in the right direction, to remind us that the main thing is the main thing. [9:52] We've got to make that the main thing, and that's, you know, addressing the needs of the American people. [9:57] And I want to thank him for his strong support and engagement on the whole issue of protecting American democracy in these elections. [10:06] We communicate daily on this, and he continues to remind us how vital this is. [10:13] And truly, the health of the democracy is the security of our elections, the strength of public trust in government. [10:20] Each of these are not only critical, but they're necessary elements and components of this 250-year experiment that we ironically celebrate this year with President Trump as the person in the White House. [10:32] But there is nothing, in my view, more urgent in this moment than protecting American democracy, which is why this gathering today is, among many that we're hearing, so important. [10:42] And just to remind people of the threats we face, the President and his allies want to take over this election. [10:49] They make it clear, as I think Leader Jeffries often says, the President says the quiet part out loud. [10:55] I guess we can at least give him credit for that. [10:57] Whether it's the Save America Act, which would disrupt election administration, keep millions of eligible voters away from the polls, force states to hand over private, personal voter data to DHS. [11:11] He has issued illegal executive orders, and thank you to the courts for stepping in appropriately. [11:16] But that would block access, again, to the ballot for millions of Americans, including an attempt to eviscerate vote-by-mail, as many of us know, particularly in states out West, is the primary method by which Americans in the millions cast their votes. [11:31] And they have cast it that way for decades. [11:34] Yesterday, as we all know here, impulsively canceling a signing ceremony about something that had nothing to do with elections, to insert himself into and try to once again leverage the United States Senate on the Block Save America Act. [11:48] And his tantrum proves one thing. [11:50] He would rather see Americans on the street than at the ballot box. [11:54] It's true. [11:55] He would rather see people on the streets than at the ballot box because he fears the judgment of the American people. [12:01] So when you fear the answer, I guess you do everything you can to avoid the answer. [12:05] And the situation and the threats grow more dire. [12:09] He has, and people around him have continued to muse about deploying the military or law enforcement. [12:14] He has indicated his regret for not calling out the National Guard in the advent of the 2020 election. [12:20] And we find ourselves in a moment where democracy's traditional defenders are not. [12:28] They are now threats. [12:29] The Department of Justice is a threat. [12:31] Department of Homeland Security, which has dismantled its election security apparatus, is a threat. [12:38] The administration has defunded and gutted a cybersecurity infrastructure agency and its support for election administrators around the country. [12:46] And now with the Louisiana v. Calais, the Supreme Court has demolished yet another pillar of the Voting Rights Act that upholds our multiracial democracy. [12:55] A law that for nearly six decades, with broad bipartisan support over the years, is now shredded by this Supreme Court. [13:05] So in the face of all this, the committee that I have the privilege of leading has jurisdiction over federal elections. [13:12] We've undertaken this assessment of the threats, how House Democrats and pro-democracy allies can stand up and stand together, push back against these threats. [13:21] Our planned targeted responses include litigation, effective community organization and mobilization, and promoting early voting. [13:29] Everybody in America should vote at the first moment that they have. [13:33] I have a friend back home who goes early voting. [13:36] 6 a.m. it opens. [13:37] 6.01. [13:37] He's the first person to vote. [13:39] He always says to me, just in case I get hit by a bus, I want my vote to count. [13:43] Now, that's the kind of democracy devotion that we need by all Americans. [13:48] So we're going to continue to work with our partners and advocates who are here, and thank you, and protect American elections. [13:54] Failure, quite simply, is not an option. [13:57] It cannot be. [13:57] And because of the corruption, the culture of corruption, of Republicans in Washington have real costs, as my friend Chairman Wasserman Schultz outlined. [14:08] Americans are struggling to afford gas and groceries. [14:11] The president weighs millions on vanity projects. [14:13] He sends taxpayer money to billionaire donors while simultaneously cutting their taxes, adding to the federal debt, [14:20] and then requiring people who need nutritional assistance or health insurance to fill out more paperwork and more certifications. [14:26] Protecting our democracy doesn't end with protecting just the elections. [14:30] We have to restore American trust. [14:32] And so fundamentally, reforming our courts, reforming the Congress, reforming our electoral system, reforming the executive branch, [14:40] all things that we are collectively doing, getting dark money out of our politics and holding ourselves accountable. [14:46] So it's a large project and a necessary one, and I'm grateful to be working with everyone on this. [14:51] And so I'm grateful to the panelists here for and look forward to hearing from them. [14:55] So thank you so much. [14:58] Thank you to Ranking Member Morelli for all of your work. [15:02] Thank you to the leader and my co-chairs for putting this hearing together. [15:06] It's a very timely hearing. [15:08] I want to thank all the witnesses that are here today as well for your expertise, your advice, your guidance, [15:12] for all that you do to keep our elections free and fair. [15:16] Our democracy is under attack, and Donald Trump will stop at nothing to tamper with our elections. [15:23] One of the concerns I hear a lot is from people worried about even going to the ballot box [15:29] and whether there's going to be ICE officials, whether there's going to be law enforcement there. [15:34] That concern is real, and that, I think, is intended to cause people not to go to the ballot box. [15:41] And then we're hearing threats of maybe we won't deliver your mail-in ballot unless states give us voter lists. [15:48] So this is an ongoing attack, and we, of course, I know yesterday the president refused to sign the housing bill [15:55] because he's demanding this dangerous SAVE Act bill get passed by the Congress, [15:59] which would make it harder for Americans to vote. [16:02] And so the fight for democracy and justice is far from over, [16:06] and we look forward to hearing from experts like yourselves and advocates [16:10] who can advise us on the best ways to fight back [16:14] and really conveying those to our constituents who are so concerned about making sure [16:23] that they have their ability to vote and that it's not going to be disrupted. [16:27] And so with that, I get to introduce the first witness here today. [16:31] It's my honor to introduce Michael Wallman, a constitutional law lawyer, [16:36] a constitutional lawyer, a writer, and a leading voice on American democracy, [16:40] president and CEO of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law. [16:45] Michael has led the center since 2005. [16:48] He also served as director of speech writing for President Bill Clinton [16:52] and was responsible for nearly 2,000 speeches, [16:55] including four State of the Unions and two inaugural addresses. [16:58] More recently, Michael served as a member of the Presidential Commission [17:01] on the Supreme Court of the United States. [17:04] You may recognize Michael from his many TV and radio appearances [17:07] or from his articles published in the New York Times and the Washington Post. [17:11] You may also know him as the author of numerous books such as The Fight to Vote, [17:16] which details the history of our struggle to secure voting rights for all Americans. [17:21] Michael, I want to thank you for your continuous work to protect our right to vote, [17:26] making sure our voices are heard, and with that, you are now recognized. [17:31] Thank you so much, Representative Berrigan. [17:38] Thank you, Leader Jeffries, Ranking Member Morelli, [17:41] Chair Wasserman Schultz, and all of you on this committee [17:45] for having this important conversation. [17:48] The vote is the heart of democracy. [17:50] It is utterly vital that we have a free and fair and secure election. [17:55] And as has been said, and as you know, [17:57] President Trump and his administration [17:59] have a concerted campaign underway to undermine the election. [18:05] It's important to understand that has never happened before in American history. [18:10] What I want to report to you today, with everything going on, [18:13] is we know what this strategy is. [18:16] And now there is clear a counter strategy, [18:20] protections by state and county officials, [18:23] by voting rights groups and civil society groups, [18:25] by law enforcement that actually can protect voters [18:29] and ensure that we can have the kind of election we want to have. [18:32] And all of you have a critical role that you are playing [18:35] and can continue to play going forward. [18:38] What are the strategies? [18:39] We know they're trying to abuse executive power. [18:43] Breaking news, earlier today, [18:45] a federal court blocked the most recent executive order [18:49] by President Trump. [18:51] This is the one on vote by mail. [18:53] They made clear presidents have no role [18:57] under the Constitution in administering elections. [19:00] Congress, obviously, is being enlisted as well. [19:02] And you all have been the leaders in the fight [19:04] against the egregious SAVE Act. [19:07] We're really grateful for it. [19:08] Nobody's going to want to make predictions, [19:10] but we know that it has been blocked so far in the Senate. [19:13] We know they are weaponizing the Department of Justice. [19:17] They have demanded sensitive voter rolls [19:19] from 48 of the states. [19:22] And now nine courts, 9 and 0, [19:25] have ruled that this is illegal, [19:27] that there is no legal justification for this, [19:29] and states are saying no. [19:32] We've heard about the defunding [19:34] and the pulling the support off the beat [19:37] for election officials. [19:39] Many people, including former security officials, [19:41] law enforcement, and many others, [19:43] are stepping up to help county and state [19:46] and local election officials deal with security threats [19:50] and deal with all the kinds of threats there are. [19:52] Now, I don't want to be naive. [19:54] There continue to be things [19:56] we're particularly worried about. [19:57] We'll hear about them. [19:59] The new and emerging attacks by the FBI [20:02] on voter registration groups in particular, [20:05] as we saw in Ohio, is of deep concern. [20:08] The risk that has not happened yet [20:10] of the use of ICE or troops [20:12] or other law enforcement at the polls [20:14] is also of great concern, [20:16] though I will point out emphatically, [20:18] and we all need to remember, [20:19] that is entirely illegal in every way. [20:23] We believe courts will step up [20:25] when that, should that happen. [20:27] But all of that points to what our role [20:29] and your role can be. [20:30] We need to be encouraging and assuring people [20:32] that their vote will be secure. [20:34] We need to have, in effect, [20:36] what happened in Minneapolis. [20:37] We need neighbors helping neighbors, [20:39] a civic mobilization to protect the vote [20:41] so that people who are scared, [20:43] who have reason to be scared, [20:45] in fact, can vote, can vote early, [20:47] can vote with support from their fellow citizens. [20:50] I'll mention one other thing. [20:52] If we do all those things, [20:53] we can have a free and fair and secure election, [20:55] and voters will have their say. [20:58] As has been said by Representative Morelli, [21:00] we think it's utterly vital [21:02] that the response to this moment [21:04] be reforms and changes in how our system works [21:07] so we don't have to fight these kinds [21:09] of defensive trench battles over and over again. [21:12] Throughout American history, [21:14] it is after periods of abuse, [21:17] after scandal, after corruption, [21:18] that's when reform happens. [21:20] It doesn't always happen, [21:21] but that is when it happens, [21:22] and you all may have an opportunity [21:24] to be part of that. [21:25] You know what kinds of reforms [21:27] you're talking about [21:27] as relates to corruption, [21:29] a critical issue to so many voters, [21:32] banning partisan gerrymandering, [21:34] dealing with dark money, [21:36] new protections for voting rights [21:38] and against discrimination in voting, [21:39] and as Leader Jeffrey said, [21:42] dealing with the Supreme Court, [21:45] we recommend term limits at the very least [21:47] as one of the reforms. [21:48] This can be a significant moment [21:50] not to have to fight this over and over again, [21:53] but to make sure that the democracy [21:55] we all care about, [21:56] that we cherish, [21:56] that we love, [21:57] is stronger coming out of this moment than before. [22:00] Thank you for holding this hearing. [22:18] CEO of Leadership Conference [22:20] on Civil and Human Rights, [22:21] a coalition of over 240 national organizations [22:25] fighting to protect, defend, [22:27] and expand the rights [22:28] of every person in the United States, [22:29] a national leader on civil rights [22:31] and economic justice. [22:32] Ms. Wiley has served [22:33] in numerous high-level positions, [22:34] both inside and outside government. [22:37] To name just a few, [22:38] she served as the first Black Women Council [22:40] to the mayor of the city of New York, [22:42] a faculty member and senior vice president [22:44] at the New School University, [22:45] and is a litigator at the ACLU [22:48] and AACP Legal Defense Fund [22:51] and in the U.S. Attorney's Office [22:52] of the Southern District of New York. [22:56] Thank you, Ms. Wiley, [22:57] for all of your important work [22:59] and for joining us today. [23:03] I do appreciate it. [23:07] Thank you for having me, [23:08] and I really want to thank our co-chairs. [23:10] I want to thank our leader, [23:13] our ranking member, [23:14] but also every single member of this committee [23:16] and all of the work that it represents [23:19] because we are the ones we've been waiting for [23:23] because for such a time as these, [23:26] we know that it is a democracy [23:29] that has always been one we have had to fight [23:33] to protect and to perfect, [23:36] and I say this with my dear colleague, Michael, [23:39] because the Leadership Conference [23:41] for Civil and Human Rights [23:43] has been here for 76 years fighting this fight, [23:47] and I think it is important to note [23:50] that the challenges I'm about to share [23:53] are not necessarily new, [23:58] but the degree, the tenor, [24:00] the abuse in the unlawfulness [24:02] and its level and depth is, [24:06] and I say that because this isn't just a return [24:10] as we sometimes say to Jim Crow. [24:13] It is actually a return to a fight [24:16] about whether the civil rights amendments [24:18] of our United States Constitution [24:20] are going to stand, [24:22] and that is a substantial fight, [24:25] but here I want to share with you [24:27] a bit of what we're seeing out of the coalition, [24:30] what we're doing about it, [24:31] and what we can continue to do about it. [24:34] Everything that Michael has said, [24:35] I'm not going to repeat [24:36] because I'm just going to say [24:38] that is consistent with the position of the coalition [24:40] of which the Brennan Center is a member. [24:43] What I think we need to confront [24:45] is a couple of very, very clear threats. [24:48] We have engaged in a landscaping [24:51] of what our coalition is doing. [24:53] We have over 240 members. [24:55] We have 84 national organizations mapped [24:58] in the data I'm about to share. [25:01] So number one is the coalition is not backing down, [25:05] and it is not slowing down, [25:07] it is not stopping, [25:09] and it is not turning around, [25:10] but what comes out of it [25:12] is a very clear picture [25:13] of several important things we've already heard. [25:16] Major threats include polling place closures, [25:20] include the reduction in early voting, [25:23] include staff shortages in election offices, [25:27] include threats and harassment [25:29] to those election administrators, [25:33] and it also includes things like language access. [25:37] Just want to make this point. [25:39] 31% of Asians, millions of our Latino voters, [25:44] Native American population experiencing both language [25:47] and distances to polls, [25:50] and as we know, people with disabilities, [25:52] the elderly, and all manner of people [25:55] rely on mail-in voting, ballot drop boxes, [26:00] they're lawful, they're effective, [26:02] and they support turnout. [26:04] So I say that, but in addition, [26:06] the gerrymandering has come up, [26:08] and mis- and disinformation as major challenges [26:12] at a level unseen in recent memory [26:16] for all the reasons that Michael has just shared, [26:19] and part of what is happening now [26:21] is both a challenge to disinformation, [26:25] one example, just one, [26:28] but that we're hearing from many places, [26:30] is a black man 70 years old in Louisiana [26:34] asking at a community meeting [26:36] whether after the Calais decision [26:38] he still has a right to vote. [26:42] The disinformation is real, [26:44] it's significant, [26:46] and it actually- [26:47] this is a different kind of threat [26:50] than even whether the polling site is open [26:52] or the ballot box is available, right? [26:55] Not because those are more mine- [26:58] they're not, they're significant, [27:00] but the very fact that people are wondering [27:02] if their rights are in place [27:04] is a consequence of the Calais decision, [27:07] and one that requires the kinds of activity [27:09] and action that this coalition undertakes every day, [27:13] and that this group of leaders here [27:16] has so much opportunity [27:17] to help us confront collectively. [27:19] I'll say this other thing. [27:21] It's very clear where and how the coalition [27:23] is seeing the threats as a priority. [27:26] So, for example, [27:27] greatest coverage for the coalition [27:30] is not going to surprise you, [27:33] but we are showing up in literally 28 states [27:38] in a very deep level, [27:40] but it is also clear that folks [27:42] are calling out Florida, Texas, [27:44] North Carolina, Michigan, Arizona, [27:46] and Wisconsin as real, clear, [27:48] and present danger [27:49] for voters. [27:51] Those are not the only places, [27:53] but just to say that's one thing [27:54] we're hearing out of our data. [27:56] And the other is this, [27:59] and I think this is extremely important to note, [28:02] our members are all in. [28:05] They're not slowing down. [28:06] They're not backing down. [28:08] They're doing it with less resources [28:10] than they've ever had before [28:12] despite the degree of threat. [28:14] And we're seeing in our data, [28:15] 44% of our member organizations [28:18] are doing what they're doing [28:21] on 25% of the budget. [28:23] So when we consider [28:25] the incredible amount of work we have, [28:28] the breadth of that work, [28:30] when we see the challenges [28:32] to the ability to do that, [28:33] that is also something [28:34] we have to confront together [28:36] because it is a turnout issue. [28:40] Turnout for us is a nonpartisan issue. [28:43] We don't care if you're a rural community [28:45] or urban community. [28:46] We don't care and tell people [28:48] who to vote for [28:48] or whether to vote. [28:49] This impacts every voter. [28:52] This is about the ability [28:54] of our people [28:55] to deliver a pink slip [28:57] or a hiring offer [29:00] to those leaders [29:01] who are going to decide [29:02] the things that our folks [29:03] want to hear about [29:04] and care about, [29:05] which is they don't just want [29:06] to be told about [29:07] whether or not [29:07] they have a right to vote. [29:09] They want to be told about [29:10] whether that vote [29:11] is going to solve their problems. [29:13] And as we have already heard, [29:15] the places that are under attack, [29:17] it's because communities [29:19] are asking for Medicaid. [29:21] It is because communities [29:22] are asking about SNAP benefits. [29:25] It is because communities [29:26] are asking about [29:27] whether their hospitals [29:28] are going to stay open [29:29] and whether or not [29:31] women and children [29:32] are going to die [29:33] for lack of health care. [29:34] And Head Start [29:35] is another one. [29:36] So when we talk about [29:38] the corruption [29:39] that we're seeing, [29:40] that we have heard about, [29:42] the fact that we're seeing [29:43] $75 billion in one year [29:45] go to ICE [29:47] to take our rights [29:49] at the same time [29:51] that we're taking [29:51] $75 billion [29:53] out of the health care system, [29:55] it is clear [29:56] why voters want [29:57] to have a say [29:58] in who leads them. [30:00] And this is why [30:00] we see the attacks [30:01] on the very existence [30:02] of our work [30:03] on our organizations [30:05] from Southern Poverty Law Center [30:07] to the Ohio [30:08] Organizing Collaborative. [30:10] And while part of our fight [30:11] has been to even defend [30:13] the rights [30:14] to simply do the work [30:16] to educate, [30:17] to engage, [30:19] to support, [30:20] and to empower. [30:21] But we won't stop [30:23] and we know you won't [30:24] and this is work [30:25] we do together. [30:30] Thank you to our witnesses [30:30] and everyone joining us [30:32] for today's important discussion. [30:34] As co-chair of the House [30:35] Democratic Steering [30:36] and Policy Committee, [30:37] I'm proud to convene [30:38] and partake [30:39] in this hearing [30:40] focused on safeguarding [30:41] our nation's elections [30:43] and strengthening [30:43] the foundation [30:44] of our democracy. [30:46] Free, fair, [30:47] and secure elections [30:48] are the foundation [30:48] of our democratic system. [30:51] Americans must be able [30:52] to cast their ballots [30:53] with confidence [30:54] knowing that elections [30:55] are protected [30:56] from interference, [30:57] intimidation, [30:58] and manipulation. [31:00] Election security [31:01] is more than voting machines. [31:03] It requires protecting [31:04] election workers, [31:06] defending against [31:06] foreign influence, [31:07] maintaining strong [31:09] cyber security systems, [31:11] and ensuring that [31:11] state and local [31:12] election officials [31:13] have the resources [31:14] they need to do their jobs. [31:17] Unfortunately, [31:17] recent actions [31:19] by the Trump administration [31:20] have raised serious concerns [31:22] about our nation's [31:23] election security infrastructure, [31:25] election security grants, [31:27] critical funding [31:28] that helps states [31:29] to modernize voting systems, [31:31] and strengthen cyber security. [31:32] They have been significantly reduced. [31:35] While Congress appropriated [31:37] 45 million [31:38] for election security grants [31:40] in fiscal year 2026, [31:42] only 15 million [31:44] was ultimately allocated. [31:46] At the same time, [31:47] key election security personnel [31:49] with the Cybersecurity [31:50] and Infrastructure Security Agency, [31:53] or CISA, [31:54] were placed on administrative leave, [31:56] weakening federal support [31:57] for state and local [31:59] election officials, [32:00] and reducing our ability [32:02] to respond to threats [32:03] from foreign adversaries [32:05] and other bad actors. [32:07] Despite these challenges, [32:08] election officials [32:09] across the country [32:10] continue to work tirelessly [32:12] to uphold the integrity [32:13] of our elections [32:14] and maintain public trust [32:16] in the democratic process. [32:19] Today's hearing [32:20] is an opportunity [32:21] to examine these threats, [32:22] learn from experts [32:23] on the front lines [32:24] of election administration, [32:26] and discuss how Congress [32:28] can strengthen election security [32:30] for the future. [32:31] With that, [32:32] I'm honored to introduce [32:33] our next witness, [32:34] Gretchen Rondmeyer. [32:36] Gretchen has served [32:37] as Arlington's [32:38] County General Registrar [32:39] and Director of Elections [32:41] since 2019 [32:42] and brings more than [32:43] two decades [32:44] of election administration experience, [32:46] beginning as a poll worker [32:48] in Texas at age 18. [32:50] She has held numerous leadership roles [32:52] in election administration, [32:53] including serving as co-chair [32:55] of the Metropolitan Washington [32:57] Council of Governments [32:58] Election Officials [32:59] Technical Committee, Long, [33:01] and as an active member [33:02] of the Voter Registrar's [33:03] Association of Virginia. [33:05] Ms. Rondmeyer, [33:06] thank you for being here today, [33:08] and we look forward [33:08] to your testimony. [33:11] Good afternoon, [33:11] and thank you for the opportunity [33:13] to speak with you today. [33:15] I'm honored to represent [33:16] more than 10,000 local [33:17] election administrators [33:18] across the United States. [33:20] Together, we take on [33:21] an enormous task [33:22] of mobilizing [33:23] the largest civilian workforce [33:25] and support of democracy [33:26] in the world. [33:27] I'm referring to the roughly [33:28] one million poll workers [33:29] who will volunteer [33:30] to serve their community [33:32] and let their neighbors' voices [33:33] be heard on November 3rd. [33:35] They speak to the heart [33:36] of our nation, [33:37] not just having the right to vote, [33:39] but that the willingness [33:40] of ordinary citizens [33:41] to make that vote possible. [33:44] I've been asked to speak [33:45] about threats to our democracy, [33:46] and I'd like to start there. [33:48] The quiet, civic, [33:49] backbone of our election system [33:51] is under strain [33:52] in ways that aren't always visible. [33:53] Forty percent of election administrators [33:56] in Connecticut [33:57] have retired [33:57] in the last five years. [33:59] Four weeks ago, [34:00] my 82-year-old mother [34:01] was recruited [34:01] to run a precinct in Texas [34:03] because there simply [34:04] weren't enough [34:04] other workers available. [34:07] And just this month, [34:08] a jurisdiction in Virginia [34:09] lost two of its three staff [34:11] right as early voting has begun. [34:13] These are not isolated stories. [34:15] They reflect a nationwide challenge [34:17] in recruiting [34:17] and retaining election workers. [34:19] The reason is simple. [34:21] Elections are becoming [34:22] more complex [34:22] and the environment [34:23] more scrutinized. [34:25] Since 2019, [34:26] my office has implemented [34:27] sweeping changes [34:29] such as no-excuse absentee voting, [34:31] early voting, [34:32] same-day registration, [34:33] automatic voter registration, [34:35] ballot curing, [34:35] drop boxes, [34:36] post-election audits, [34:38] rank-choice voting, [34:39] and more. [34:40] Every one of these changes [34:41] adds processes, [34:43] time, training, [34:43] and cost. [34:45] Ten years ago, [34:45] an election might cost $70,000 [34:47] to run in Arlington. [34:49] The special election [34:50] that I just ran in April [34:51] cost $250,000. [34:53] That's a 250% increase [34:56] in the last decade. [34:57] At the same time, [34:58] funding hasn't kept pace. [35:00] In the 17 years [35:01] I've been with Arlington, [35:02] our office has received [35:03] $130,000 in federal funding. [35:07] Most of this, [35:08] $123,000, [35:09] was from the CARES Act [35:11] in 2020. [35:12] $90,000 of that [35:13] was spent on one-time funds [35:15] on envelopes and postage [35:16] for mail ballots that November. [35:18] It was the support [35:19] we needed that year [35:20] and I'm grateful [35:21] that Congress recognized the need. [35:24] Compounding this complexity [35:25] is the growing role [35:26] of litigation. [35:27] Court decisions [35:28] now force changes [35:29] in the middle of elections [35:30] creating uncertainty [35:31] for administrators [35:33] and voters alike. [35:34] And voters are paying attention, [35:36] but not always in a way [35:37] that's helpful. [35:38] National headlines [35:39] can create confusion [35:40] at the local level. [35:41] For example, [35:42] this spring, [35:43] voters expressed confusion [35:44] about voter ID requirements [35:45] in Virginia [35:46] because of conversations [35:47] about the SAVE Act, [35:48] even though our rules [35:49] in Virginia haven't changed. [35:52] Local election administrators [35:54] have one goal, [35:55] to serve voters [35:55] and deliver free, [35:57] fair, and secure elections. [35:58] I am appointed, [35:59] I do not represent [36:00] a political party, [36:02] and my role [36:02] is to implement [36:03] your policies [36:03] and help voters [36:04] navigate the process [36:06] with confidence. [36:07] So how can Congress help? [36:09] First, invest in poll workers. [36:11] Invest in their recruitment, [36:12] training, and compensation. [36:14] And you can do this [36:15] by things like passing [36:16] the Poll Worker Tax Credit Act [36:18] to support the workforce. [36:20] Making the $200 stipend [36:22] that poll workers receive [36:24] on election day tax-exempt [36:25] could increase recruitment [36:27] but also reduce [36:28] the administrative cost [36:30] of hiring these workers [36:32] that only work [36:33] one or two days a year. [36:34] Second, provide dedicated, [36:36] predictable funding [36:37] for election technology [36:39] with a local spend requirement. [36:42] Right now, [36:42] limited certified options [36:44] are driving up cost [36:45] and making it harder [36:46] to meet security requirements. [36:48] Congress needs to support [36:49] the EAC's work [36:50] and communities [36:51] need your support [36:52] for getting the best [36:54] election technology [36:55] into the hands [36:56] of America's voters. [36:57] Third, continue conversations [36:59] like this [37:00] and engage directly [37:01] with your local election offices. [37:03] Seeing their work firsthand [37:05] can make a difference [37:06] and they'd love to tell you [37:08] about their creative solutions [37:09] for tackling these problems. [37:11] Thank you for your time today [37:13] and for your commitment [37:13] to supporting our democracy. [37:16] Thank you so much, [37:17] Ms. Rahnemeyer. [37:18] And now I'd like to introduce [37:22] someone who I think [37:23] probably doesn't need [37:24] an introduction for many of us [37:26] and that's Robert Reiner [37:27] whose election credentials [37:29] are extraordinary. [37:31] He's currently the director [37:32] of the Voting Rights Project [37:32] at the Lawyers Committee [37:33] for Civil Rights [37:34] and previously served [37:35] as a senior counsel [37:36] in the Justice Department's [37:37] Civil Rights Division. [37:39] He also clerked [37:39] for the influential Judge Friendly [37:41] and the voting rights legend [37:43] Justice Thurgood Marshall. [37:45] Mr. Winer, [37:45] can you share what you see [37:46] as the threat landscape [37:47] for elections right now? [37:49] And thank you for joining us. [37:54] Thank you, Chair Wasserman Schultz, [37:57] Ranking Member Morelli [37:58] and members of this committee. [38:02] Your focus on the threats [38:04] to our elections is timely [38:07] and it's vital. [38:09] I think we're at a hair-on-fire [38:12] moment right now. [38:15] The Trump administration [38:16] is systematically undermining [38:18] every institution [38:20] that protects [38:22] our electoral institutions. [38:27] Now, let me be clear. [38:28] Our elections are safe [38:30] and they're reliable [38:31] and they will remain that way. [38:36] But the President's statements, [38:39] his incessant attacks [38:40] on the integrity [38:42] and the safety of our elections [38:44] is creating confusion [38:47] and distrust. [38:49] And with the new head [38:50] of the Office of National Intelligence, [38:54] we're going to see [38:55] those attacks escalating [38:58] with regard to foreign influence. [39:01] Beyond that, [39:02] we've seen subpoenas, [39:04] investigations, [39:05] and threats [39:06] against election officials [39:07] and voting rights advocates. [39:10] We've seen teasers [39:12] regarding ICE agents [39:13] and military at the polls, [39:16] as well as seizure of ballots [39:18] and voting machines. [39:20] We've seen efforts [39:21] to restrict mail-in voting. [39:23] What is going on, [39:24] in my view, [39:26] is that the Trump administration [39:27] is trying to create chaos [39:30] and then use the chaos [39:33] that it creates [39:35] as a reason [39:36] not to respect [39:39] the results of our elections. [39:42] Now, we've brought [39:42] a number of lawsuits [39:44] to counter this [39:46] in the large committee, [39:47] but litigation [39:48] is not by itself a solution. [39:51] And that's why [39:51] we call upon [39:52] a broad coalition, [39:55] the Election Protection Coalition. [39:57] It unites more than [39:58] 300 national [40:00] and state-level groups [40:02] to ensure [40:03] that voters can cast [40:05] their ballots [40:06] and have them counted. [40:09] It's the largest [40:10] nonpartisan voter protection [40:12] program in the country. [40:14] And the center is [40:15] our hotline, [40:17] 866-OUR-VOTE, [40:19] a year-round, [40:21] nationwide, [40:22] nonpartisan, [40:23] multilingual helpline. [40:26] We receive reports [40:27] through that hotline. [40:28] We work with [40:29] public officials [40:30] to solve the problem. [40:33] And if need be, [40:34] we sue. [40:35] Among the issues, [40:36] we've seen a rise [40:37] in voter intimidation [40:39] from 5% [40:41] of the calls [40:42] received in 2025 [40:44] to 10% [40:46] this year. [40:47] We're developing [40:48] rapid response plans [40:50] to deal with that [40:51] by both intimidation, [40:54] by both public [40:56] and private actors. [40:58] and we're seeking [40:59] to prepare [41:00] ourselves [41:01] and public officials. [41:03] We'll be mapping [41:05] state violence [41:06] by militias [41:08] across the country [41:10] and we'll coordinate [41:11] closely [41:12] throughout the year, [41:14] share resources, [41:15] do training, [41:16] and develop [41:17] a rapid response [41:19] effort [41:19] to deal with [41:21] the threats [41:22] as they arise. [41:23] We need your help [41:26] to fortify [41:27] this election [41:29] protection movement. [41:30] Used to be [41:31] we could rely [41:32] on DOJ [41:34] observers. [41:35] No longer. [41:37] They're counterproductive, [41:38] if anything. [41:39] So we need to mobilize [41:40] attorneys, [41:43] clergy, [41:44] college students, [41:45] ordinary citizens [41:46] to support democracy. [41:50] We need poll workers [41:51] and observers [41:52] inside and outside [41:54] of polling places. [41:58] There's a delicate balance here. [42:00] We all need to recognize [42:01] and announce [42:03] and publicize [42:05] the election threats. [42:07] But we also need [42:09] to shore up [42:11] public support [42:12] and confidence [42:14] in our elections. [42:16] The key message [42:17] is that our elections [42:19] are safe, [42:21] that they're reliable, [42:22] they are democratic, [42:24] and we intend [42:25] to keep them that way. [42:27] Thank you for your efforts [42:29] to do just that. [42:31] Thank you so much, [42:33] Mr. Weiner. [42:34] Now we'll open it up [42:35] to our members' questions [42:37] and first we'll start [42:38] with our Democratic Caucus [42:39] Chair, [42:40] Pete Aguilar [42:41] of California. [42:42] Thank you so much, [42:43] Co-Chair Wasserman Schultz. [42:44] It's an honor [42:45] to be here. [42:46] Good afternoon. [42:47] I want to thank [42:48] House Administration Committee [42:49] ranking member [42:50] Joe Morelli, [42:51] the entire Steering [42:52] and Policy Committee, [42:53] and Leader Jeffries, [42:55] in addition to [42:56] all of our witnesses [42:57] and guests [42:58] for bringing us here. [43:00] Donald Trump [43:01] and Republicans [43:01] have launched [43:02] an all-out war [43:03] on voting rights [43:04] and free and fair elections [43:06] in this country [43:07] that will have repercussions [43:08] in every corner [43:09] of our communities. [43:11] In nearly 60 days [43:13] since the conservative majority [43:15] on the Supreme Court [43:16] gutted the VRA, [43:17] we've seen Republican-led states [43:19] aggressively move [43:20] to eliminate [43:21] majority black districts [43:23] across the South [43:24] through the Jim Crow-era [43:26] racial gerrymandering. [43:28] Far-right extremists [43:29] did not hesitate [43:29] to immediately redraw [43:31] Alabama, Louisiana, [43:33] Tennessee, [43:34] and Florida [43:34] to shut out voters [43:35] from our political process. [43:38] And the consequences [43:39] of Louisiana [43:40] versus Calais [43:40] won't end in the South, [43:43] and it will hurt [43:44] and impact voters nationwide. [43:47] Because if we allow [43:48] Republicans to dilute [43:49] the voting power [43:50] of communities of color [43:51] anywhere in this country, [43:52] we run the risk [43:53] of turning back [43:54] decades of progress [43:56] for fair and equal representation. [43:58] And these attacks [43:59] on voting power [44:00] and our nation's democracy [44:01] by right-wing extremists [44:04] who want to take [44:05] this country backwards [44:05] are just the beginning. [44:08] Trump and Republicans [44:08] have made no secret [44:09] that they're doing [44:10] everything in their power [44:12] to overhaul [44:12] our federal elections, [44:13] to ensure [44:14] they have an advantage [44:15] in the upcoming [44:16] midterm election. [44:18] We've seen this [44:18] just this week [44:19] with Trump's refusal [44:20] to sign a bipartisan [44:21] affordable housing bill [44:23] unless Congress [44:24] passed the Save America Act, [44:26] his voter suppression bill, [44:27] that he claims [44:28] will guarantee [44:29] the midterms [44:30] and make it so [44:31] Republicans for 50 years [44:33] will, his words, [44:34] never lose a race. [44:37] Donald Trump knows [44:38] that Republicans [44:38] cannot win [44:39] the upcoming [44:40] midterm elections [44:41] based on their record alone. [44:43] So he's choosing [44:44] to subvert the will [44:45] of the voters [44:45] in order to steal [44:46] the election. [44:48] Democrats won't sit [44:49] idly by while Donald Trump [44:50] tried to steal [44:51] the 2020 election [44:52] and we aren't [44:53] standing by now. [44:55] House Democrats [44:55] will fight in Congress, [44:57] will fight in the courts, [44:58] and will fight [44:58] in our communities [44:59] to ensure Donald Trump [45:01] and Republicans [45:02] don't get away [45:03] with their attempts [45:04] to suppress the vote, [45:05] silence people of color, [45:07] or rig the 2026 election. [45:09] election. [45:10] Because in America [45:11] our democracy [45:12] is strongest [45:12] when every voice [45:14] is heard [45:14] and every vote [45:15] is counted. [45:16] Thank you so much [45:17] for being here. [45:18] I yield back. [45:19] Thank you so much [45:19] Mr. Chairman. [45:20] Next I'll go to my co-chair [45:22] Robin Kelly [45:22] for a question. [45:24] Just very short [45:25] and sweet [45:26] because of what's [45:27] been going on [45:28] I don't know [45:28] how you felt before [45:29] but do you feel [45:30] like the Supreme Court [45:32] the number [45:34] should be expanded? [45:35] We can just go down [45:39] real quick. [45:39] Well I will say this [45:43] there's an active [45:44] conversation happening [45:45] now in the coalition [45:46] about the breadth [45:47] of reforms that we need. [45:49] There's strong agreement [45:50] that the reforms [45:52] need to be very significant. [45:54] There is an ongoing [45:56] conversation about [45:56] what that whole package [45:57] looks like [45:58] but it is clear [45:59] that it has to be significant. [46:01] It has to be structural. [46:02] I would say [46:03] there is agreement [46:03] on term limits. [46:05] Obviously there's agreement [46:06] on binding ethics [46:08] and there's a conversation [46:10] about expansion. [46:11] So this is one [46:13] that is going to be [46:15] one that we will speak [46:16] about coalitionally [46:18] and I would say [46:20] no one is shying away [46:22] from the fact [46:23] that if we are going [46:23] to continue [46:24] to have a democracy [46:25] we have to have [46:26] a Supreme Court [46:27] that is not [46:28] ideologically captured [46:29] but it's only fealty [46:31] is to the Constitution [46:32] of the United States [46:33] of America [46:34] and that does include [46:35] the Civil War amendments. [46:37] Thank you. [46:39] And I will note [46:40] and it's important [46:41] to understand [46:42] as we think [46:42] about these reforms [46:43] that Maya Wiley [46:44] has just described [46:45] there is broad [46:47] public support [46:47] for example [46:48] for term limits. [46:49] The most recent [46:50] Fox News poll [46:52] showed 78% support [46:54] for an 18 year term limit [46:56] for members [46:57] of the Supreme Court. [46:59] That's obviously [47:00] a lot of Republicans [47:00] and independents [47:01] as well as Democrats. [47:02] this is something [47:03] the public wants. [47:05] Thank you. [47:05] I just say ask [47:06] because I'm torn myself [47:06] because then when [47:08] they're in charge [47:08] they can expand it more [47:09] so I just wanted [47:10] to know what you guys [47:11] can go back. [47:15] Thank you all. [47:16] Congresswoman Susan Delbeni. [47:18] Thank you. [47:19] Thank you all [47:19] for being here. [47:20] Thanks to my steering [47:21] and policy colleagues [47:22] for hosting this. [47:23] In 2011, [47:25] my home state [47:26] of Washington [47:26] was one of the first [47:27] in the nation [47:28] to embrace vote by mail [47:29] as the statewide standard. [47:32] That decision [47:33] ended up being critical [47:34] for the 2020 election [47:36] during the pandemic [47:37] and enabled Washingtonians [47:40] to vote safely. [47:42] Six years later, [47:43] we're no longer [47:43] at the same moment [47:44] of global crisis [47:45] but vote by mail [47:46] continues to serve [47:48] Washingtonians [47:48] making it easier [47:50] for folks to vote [47:51] including our service members [47:53] to safely and reliably [47:55] cast their ballots. [47:57] Trump continues [47:58] to viciously [47:59] criticize vote by mail [48:00] even calling it [48:01] mail in cheating. [48:03] This narrative [48:03] is not only false [48:04] but also dangerous [48:05] as some of you [48:06] have referred to. [48:07] There has been [48:08] no credible evidence [48:09] of significant voter fraud [48:10] in Washington [48:11] as an example [48:12] yet in this past April [48:13] he used vote by mail [48:15] to participate [48:16] in Florida's [48:17] special election [48:18] and he defended [48:19] his hypocrisy [48:20] stating that [48:20] because I'm president [48:21] and because I've had [48:24] a lot of different [48:24] things to do [48:25] that's why [48:25] you know [48:26] he needed to do that. [48:28] Ms. Wiley [48:28] I wondered if you could [48:29] speak to the importance [48:30] of ensuring [48:30] that every American [48:31] has the same ability [48:33] to conveniently [48:33] safely and reliably [48:35] vote by mail [48:36] just like the president. [48:39] Let's start with the fact [48:40] that it is true [48:41] that in 2020 [48:42] because we had a pandemic [48:44] we also saw [48:45] significantly more [48:47] participation [48:48] from people [48:49] who are too often [48:50] just blocked [48:51] from the ballot [48:52] for access reasons. [48:54] we know that [48:55] one in four Americans [48:56] are a person [48:56] with disabilities [48:57] and mail-in [48:58] balloting [48:59] is an incredibly [49:00] important way [49:01] to increase access. [49:03] You also talked [49:04] about the fact [49:04] that we have people [49:05] in service [49:05] and people [49:06] who are elderly [49:07] people on [49:08] reservations [49:10] who have long distances [49:11] to the ability [49:12] and also rely on drop boxes [49:14] which we would add [49:15] to this list. [49:16] So I say that [49:17] to say this [49:18] it is very clear [49:19] that for the American voter [49:21] there's deep concern [49:23] about having the ability [49:25] to vote [49:26] and not being blocked [49:28] from the ballot. [49:29] Mail-in voting [49:30] is simply voter access [49:33] to the ballot [49:34] and blocking it [49:35] is not popular [49:36] and it is not right [49:38] and it is also unfounded. [49:41] I wanted to follow up [49:43] because currently [49:43] the Supreme Court [49:44] is considering [49:45] overturning a Mississippi law [49:47] that permits [49:47] the counting of mail-in ballots [49:49] that received after Election Day [49:50] and I wonder [49:51] if you could also comment [49:53] on if the Supreme Court [49:55] makes a decision [49:56] and applies that [49:57] to the 2026 election [49:59] regarding ballots [50:01] received after Election Day [50:02] what impact [50:03] do you think that would have? [50:05] Well first let me say [50:06] we will all do [50:08] everything in our power [50:09] to make sure [50:10] that there's education [50:11] of voters [50:11] about how to get [50:12] their mail-in ballots [50:14] in on time [50:15] but it is exactly [50:17] the example [50:18] of just erecting [50:19] a barrier [50:20] rather than solving [50:21] a problem [50:21] because if the point [50:23] is that we want voters [50:24] to be able to vote [50:25] what difference does it make [50:27] as long as it's postmarked [50:29] by Election Day? [50:31] That has nothing to do [50:33] with the integrity [50:33] of the system [50:34] it has nothing to do [50:36] with whether or not [50:37] people are lawfully voting [50:38] it has everything to do [50:39] with whether we're just [50:41] trying to block voters [50:43] from the ballot [50:44] but what we will do [50:46] and what we all need to do [50:47] is greatly increase [50:49] the voter education [50:50] on how to vote [50:51] it is why we have [50:52] the concerns about [50:53] just the resources [50:54] that are going [50:55] to people's just [50:56] ability to know [50:57] what is so confusing [50:59] and being changed constantly [51:00] but we'll get there [51:01] because people's interest [51:03] and willingness to vote [51:04] is only on the rise [51:06] and vote early [51:07] thank you [51:08] how you yield back? [51:09] and that's exactly [51:11] what I was going to suggest [51:12] as again a role [51:13] that all of you can play [51:15] is encouraging people [51:16] to vote as early as possible [51:18] the number of ballots [51:19] that come in [51:20] after Election Day [51:21] all over the country [51:22] is about 775,000 ballots [51:25] people can get their ballots [51:27] in earlier [51:28] and not be scared off [51:29] by the Supreme Court [51:30] if it does [51:31] the absurd thing [51:32] of ruling [51:33] that that is somehow [51:33] illegal under federal law [51:35] thank you so much [51:37] next is [51:38] Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthy [51:39] Krishnamoorthy of Illinois [51:40] thank you [51:46] thank you [51:48] Ms. Wasserman Schultz [51:49] thank you to the witnesses [51:50] just picking up on something [51:52] that Susan Delbena said [51:54] some Republican run states [51:57] like Texas and Florida [51:59] specifically allow [52:00] mail-in ballots [52:01] from our military [52:02] and citizens abroad [52:03] among others [52:04] that are postmarked [52:06] by Election Day [52:07] to be counted [52:08] after the polls close [52:09] isn't that right [52:09] Ms. Swiley? [52:11] yes [52:11] President Trump [52:12] hasn't alleged any fraud [52:13] with regard to those ballots [52:15] correct? [52:16] not that I'm aware of [52:17] and same with Texas too [52:19] he hasn't alleged fraud [52:20] with those Texas ballots [52:21] counted after Election Day [52:23] right? [52:24] as far as I know [52:25] as this poster points out [52:27] Trump's demand [52:32] to throw out ballots [52:34] arriving after Election Day [52:35] would break the law [52:37] and disenfranchise [52:38] military voters [52:39] that's a severe disservice [52:40] to our men and women [52:42] in uniform [52:42] among others [52:43] Mr. Waldman [52:45] I wanted to point out [52:47] a federal law [52:48] that you may have alluded [52:49] to 18 USC 592 [52:51] makes it illegal [52:53] to deploy federal troops [52:55] or armed federal law enforcement [52:56] at any place [52:58] an election is held [52:59] isn't that right? [53:00] yes [53:00] but in an interview [53:01] with CNN [53:02] this month [53:03] Secretary Mullen [53:05] suggested that [53:06] quote [53:06] if a threat were to arise [53:08] for whatever reason [53:09] at a polling place [53:11] such as a bomb threat [53:12] our ICE agents [53:14] can have an emergency team [53:16] respond quickly [53:17] these comments [53:19] are eerily similar [53:20] to a plot [53:21] in House of Cards [53:23] the TV show [53:24] when President Underwood [53:26] fakes several bomb threats [53:28] in swing states [53:29] to justify sending in troops [53:31] to shut down the polls [53:33] and it appears to me [53:34] that President Trump [53:35] is setting up [53:36] exactly the same pretext [53:39] that President Underwood did [53:41] in this episode [53:42] of House of Cards [53:43] Mr. Waldman [53:45] you also alluded to this [53:47] I just want to [53:48] foot stomp this [53:49] in May [53:50] Postmaster General Steiner [53:52] and the Postal Service [53:54] published a proposed rule [53:55] that would require states [53:57] to hand over [53:58] voter registration data [53:59] and if they don't [54:00] no mail-in ballots [54:02] would be delivered [54:02] in that state [54:03] correct? [54:04] that's correct [54:05] and again yesterday [54:06] Steiner reaffirmed [54:08] in the Senate [54:09] that the USPS [54:11] will not deliver [54:12] mail-in ballots [54:13] if states don't give [54:15] the Trump administration [54:16] voter rolls [54:17] right? [54:18] that's correct [54:18] this morning [54:19] as you also pointed out rightly [54:21] thankfully [54:22] a district judge [54:23] blocked Trump's [54:24] March executive order [54:26] on mail-in voting [54:27] that motivated [54:28] this potential [54:29] proposed rule [54:30] but let me be clear [54:31] let me be clear [54:33] I think all of us [54:34] as a caucus [54:35] speak with one voice [54:37] Mr. Steiner [54:38] you are stepping [54:39] on dangerous territory [54:41] if you continue [54:42] to move forward [54:43] with this proposed rule [54:45] despite the court ruling [54:47] this morning [54:47] I as a senior member [54:49] of the oversight committee [54:50] will move to subpoena you [54:52] and lead the effort [54:55] to remove you [54:57] from your post [54:58] thank you so much [54:59] and I yield back [55:00] thank you so much [55:02] Congressman Krishnamoorthy [55:04] next [55:05] unless Congresswoman [55:07] Ballant [55:07] is under a severe [55:09] time crunch [55:09] then Congresswoman [55:10] Goodlander [55:11] has to leave [55:12] okay then you're next [55:14] Congresswoman Rebecca Ballant [55:15] thank you so much [55:16] thank you [55:18] to everyone [55:19] thank you Mr. Chair [55:20] especially for your [55:21] leadership on this [55:22] so we know [55:23] the president [55:24] is historically [55:25] unpopular [55:26] he knows it [55:28] his team knows it [55:29] and he knows [55:30] the only way [55:31] that Republicans [55:32] are going to stay in power [55:33] is if they meddle [55:33] in elections [55:34] and he is telegraphing [55:35] that in every possible way [55:37] and that is true [55:39] with his obsession [55:40] with the SAVE Act [55:42] and I just want [55:43] to just lay it out [55:45] because I know [55:45] there's still [55:45] so much misinformation [55:47] about the SAVE Act [55:48] the SAVE Act [55:49] is designed [55:49] to suppress the vote [55:51] that's what it's designed [55:53] to do [55:53] of American citizens [55:54] who have the right [55:55] to vote [55:56] naturalized citizens [55:57] language minorities [55:58] voters who are poor [56:00] or live in rural areas [56:01] like in my state [56:02] military service members [56:03] women who have changed [56:04] their names [56:05] after marriage [56:05] it is designed [56:07] to disenfranchise them [56:08] when Trump cannot win [56:10] he will cheat [56:11] he will cheat [56:13] and then he will lie [56:14] about an election [56:15] he is still lying [56:16] about the 2020 election [56:17] and so many of our colleagues [56:19] in this body [56:20] are still lying [56:21] about the 2020 election [56:23] so he's desperate [56:25] and he needs [56:27] to use all of the tools [56:29] at his disposal [56:30] because he knows [56:31] if he doesn't do that [56:32] he is going to lose [56:33] because the American public [56:34] do not support [56:35] the agenda [56:36] of this administration [56:37] but it's not just [56:38] the SAVE Act [56:39] so I want to lay out [56:40] for people [56:41] who may not understand [56:43] what's happening [56:43] behind the scenes [56:44] here in DC [56:45] he's weaponized [56:46] the DOJ [56:47] and the FBI [56:48] to rationalize [56:49] his fantasy [56:50] that he won [56:51] the 2020 election [56:52] he has issued [56:53] executive orders [56:54] to make it more difficult [56:55] for people to vote [56:56] he's used the Department [56:58] of Homeland Security [56:58] to intimidate [56:59] and threaten states [57:01] for their voter rolls [57:02] including my home state [57:03] of Vermont [57:04] and my Secretary of State [57:05] said absolutely not [57:07] absolutely not [57:08] you will not have [57:08] our voter rolls [57:09] he has cut key funding [57:10] for election security [57:12] and infrastructure [57:12] so I know [57:15] that folks like you [57:16] you're ground zero [57:18] you do the work [57:19] every day [57:19] and I've talked [57:20] to my poll workers [57:21] I know this is [57:22] an incredibly challenging [57:23] moment [57:24] that you find yourselves in [57:25] I'm wondering if [57:26] in the minute [57:27] that you have [57:28] to tell us [57:30] right now [57:31] in this moment [57:31] what are the most [57:32] difficult aspects [57:33] of your job [57:34] in terms of the pressure [57:36] that you are under [57:37] thank you so much [57:39] right now [57:40] it's just keeping up [57:41] with all these [57:42] proposed changes [57:43] and I think it's [57:44] important to note [57:45] that I don't have [57:46] legal counsel [57:46] or legal advisors [57:48] so we're operating [57:49] in a framework [57:50] of when these [57:51] executive orders [57:51] come out [57:52] I hear from [57:53] I start getting [57:54] questions from voters [57:55] or reporters [57:55] before I've had time [57:56] to review [57:57] what's been published [57:58] and when we see [58:00] legal changes [58:01] or executive orders [58:02] we're going to have [58:02] to change processes [58:03] midstream [58:04] so to stand up [58:05] a new voter registration [58:07] intake process [58:08] where every single [58:08] registered voter [58:09] in Arlington [58:10] has to come in [58:11] and show ID [58:12] in person [58:13] before election day [58:14] that is an extremely [58:16] complicated process [58:17] that we do not have [58:18] we do not have [58:19] a process in place [58:20] we do not have resources [58:21] we will make it work [58:23] we always do [58:24] that is our job [58:25] but yeah [58:26] it is just hard [58:27] to keep up [58:27] with everything [58:28] that's changing [58:29] right now [58:30] thank you for all [58:31] that you do [58:31] and all the poll workers [58:32] across this country [58:33] I yield back [58:34] thank you so much [58:36] Congresswoman Ballant [58:37] next up is [58:38] Congresswoman Suzanne [58:39] Bonamici [58:39] from the great [58:40] state of Oregon [58:41] thank you so much [58:42] to Ranking Member Morelli [58:43] and also thank you [58:44] to Steering and Policy [58:46] Committee [58:46] and our leadership [58:47] for being here [58:47] but also thank you [58:49] so much to the witnesses [58:50] we know how critical [58:52] this issue is [58:53] right now [58:53] I know my colleagues [58:55] like I am at home [58:57] people say to me [58:57] all the time [58:58] I'm really worried [58:59] I'm worried about [59:00] election security [59:01] because people who [59:02] qualify have the right [59:04] to vote [59:04] and they need to have [59:05] confidence in the process [59:06] and they don't have [59:07] that right now [59:08] I want to follow up [59:09] on the conversation [59:11] that my colleague [59:12] Susan Delbeni started [59:13] I noted very clearly [59:15] she said one of the first [59:16] to do all vote by mail [59:17] actually Oregon [59:18] was the first [59:19] to do all vote by mail [59:20] and I tell you [59:22] it really works [59:23] we've had it for decades [59:24] it's a safe [59:25] and secure system [59:25] we have good turnout [59:27] and Oregonians [59:29] understand [59:30] that it's a safe system [59:31] they also understand [59:32] that the voter fraud [59:33] that the administration [59:34] is alleging [59:35] is not real [59:36] and just to follow up [59:39] on the recent [59:39] executive order [59:40] which is pretty terrifying [59:41] to Oregonians [59:42] as well as everybody [59:43] but especially [59:44] with this requirement [59:47] now [59:48] our Secretary of State [59:49] has refused [59:51] to turn over [59:51] our voter files [59:52] good for him [59:54] it's pretty outrageous [59:55] that they're even [59:55] asking for them [59:56] because what they're saying [59:59] is that you will not [59:59] get your ballot [1:00:00] if you don't get [1:00:02] the state voter information [1:00:04] and I want to ask you [1:00:06] Mr. Waldman [1:00:06] because I know [1:00:07] you're tracking the cases [1:00:08] and I know [1:00:09] Mr. Krishnamoorthy [1:00:10] mentioned [1:00:10] I know the Department [1:00:12] of Justice is suing [1:00:13] and the district courts [1:00:14] have been dismissing [1:00:15] the cases [1:00:16] and I think it was [1:00:16] just yesterday [1:00:17] that the Sixth Circuit [1:00:18] said Michigan does not [1:00:20] need to turn over [1:00:20] their voter files [1:00:21] but that was an [1:00:23] appeals court [1:00:24] we've talked about [1:00:25] the Supreme Court [1:00:25] I don't have faith [1:00:27] in the Supreme Court [1:00:28] so I want to ask you [1:00:29] to kind of work [1:00:30] through what would happen [1:00:31] in a state like Oregon [1:00:32] we don't have polling places [1:00:34] and if people don't get [1:00:36] their ballot [1:00:37] they won't be able to vote [1:00:38] so what do you predict [1:00:40] I mean can we have [1:00:41] some hope that [1:00:42] as this works [1:00:43] through the system [1:00:44] we don't have to [1:00:45] there's no way [1:00:46] we can reinvent [1:00:47] a voting system [1:00:49] where the elections [1:00:51] in what 150 some days [1:00:52] we don't have polling places [1:00:54] so how would we deal [1:00:56] with this [1:00:56] what do you recommend [1:00:57] so I would say [1:00:59] two things [1:01:00] the first is that [1:01:01] this recent executive order [1:01:02] saying that [1:01:04] ordering [1:01:05] purporting to order [1:01:06] the postal service [1:01:08] to not deliver [1:01:09] lawfully cast ballots [1:01:10] unless they comply [1:01:11] with a list [1:01:12] that doesn't exist yet [1:01:13] from the federal government [1:01:14] under this DHS [1:01:15] is illegal [1:01:17] absurd [1:01:18] and fortunately [1:01:20] now the courts [1:01:20] are stepping in [1:01:21] and again [1:01:22] today [1:01:23] the judge [1:01:24] was quite clear [1:01:24] in enjoining it [1:01:26] as relates to [1:01:27] the states [1:01:27] and the voters [1:01:29] are asking for [1:01:30] a nationwide injunction [1:01:32] in the same courtroom [1:01:33] from the same judge [1:01:34] and we have a great deal [1:01:35] of hope [1:01:35] that the judge [1:01:36] will rule that way [1:01:37] with every hope [1:01:38] that this will in fact [1:01:39] not be something [1:01:40] that election officials [1:01:41] or both parties [1:01:42] have to deal with [1:01:43] going forward [1:01:44] more broadly [1:01:45] vote by mail [1:01:46] as you say [1:01:46] is used now [1:01:47] by one in three Americans [1:01:48] it's sort of consumer tested [1:01:50] it's never been [1:01:51] used by everybody [1:01:52] in Oregon [1:01:53] it's never been [1:01:54] partisan or controversial [1:01:55] until these false claims [1:01:58] we now have government [1:01:59] in the grip [1:01:59] of a conspiracy theory [1:02:00] on this [1:02:02] and on so many other things [1:02:03] I think it's critical [1:02:04] that we all find a way [1:02:06] while warning [1:02:07] about the dangers [1:02:08] to ensure [1:02:09] that people feel confident [1:02:10] and that they vote early [1:02:12] and they have a plan [1:02:13] to vote [1:02:13] and that if they use [1:02:15] a vote by mail [1:02:16] or a drop box [1:02:17] or something like that [1:02:18] that they know [1:02:18] that they can do so [1:02:19] with confidence [1:02:20] and then we will stop [1:02:21] facts will beat fear [1:02:24] right [1:02:24] well thank you very much [1:02:25] I appreciate it [1:02:26] that education piece [1:02:27] is going to be really critical [1:02:28] to reassure people [1:02:30] that they will get their ballot [1:02:31] and that they should get it [1:02:32] in early [1:02:32] thank you [1:02:32] I yield back [1:02:33] thank you [1:02:34] Congresswoman Bonamici [1:02:35] next up is [1:02:36] Congresswoman Maxine Dexter [1:02:38] of the great state [1:02:39] of Washington State [1:02:40] I'm actually Oregon [1:02:42] I'll make you from [1:02:44] one of those northwest states [1:02:45] which is very far away [1:02:47] from Florida [1:02:47] but you're not wrong [1:02:49] I grew up in Washington [1:02:50] so good afternoon [1:02:51] thank you [1:02:53] co-chair Wasserman Schultz [1:02:54] and our leadership [1:02:55] as well as you all [1:02:56] for coming [1:02:57] the work you're doing [1:02:58] to secure our democracy [1:02:59] is truly heroic [1:03:01] right now [1:03:01] I represent [1:03:03] as you heard [1:03:04] Oregon [1:03:04] in the third congressional [1:03:06] and we indeed [1:03:07] were the first state [1:03:09] to conduct [1:03:09] all mail elections [1:03:11] we've shown [1:03:13] for the past three decades [1:03:14] just as you've spoken to [1:03:16] that it increases [1:03:17] voter turnout [1:03:19] we actually had the highest [1:03:20] in our last election [1:03:22] so rather than look to Oregon [1:03:24] as a model [1:03:25] this administration [1:03:26] is doing everything it can [1:03:27] to tear down vote by mail [1:03:29] we've talked about that [1:03:30] so I want to pivot [1:03:32] to voter intimidation [1:03:34] which I think is also [1:03:35] clearly part of their playbook [1:03:37] this week ICE agents [1:03:39] entered a polling location [1:03:40] in order to poll worker [1:03:41] someone that you said [1:03:43] is incredibly important [1:03:44] that we should be elevating [1:03:45] right now [1:03:46] and recruiting [1:03:47] to take down [1:03:48] a social media post [1:03:49] this is voter intimidation [1:03:51] the president has made clear [1:03:54] he wants federal agents [1:03:55] at polling places [1:03:56] we know that's illegal [1:03:57] we know what that also [1:04:00] will do to voters [1:04:01] seeing this on social media [1:04:03] hearing about it [1:04:04] my community is responding [1:04:07] saying that the SAVE Act [1:04:09] is going to ensure [1:04:10] that only citizens vote [1:04:13] all the things [1:04:14] that we already know [1:04:15] are real [1:04:16] you want us to increase [1:04:18] confidence in our elections [1:04:21] and yet the misinformation [1:04:23] and the pervasiveness [1:04:25] of their commitment [1:04:26] to misinformation [1:04:27] is extremely threatening [1:04:29] and so I just would ask [1:04:31] whoever feels most appropriate [1:04:35] for me to ask [1:04:36] we know that this is [1:04:38] illegal voter intimidation [1:04:39] and yet they're doing it [1:04:40] we know that this is [1:04:42] frankly lying about [1:04:44] what the SAVE Act will do [1:04:46] and yet they're doing it [1:04:48] how do we combat that [1:04:49] how do we help make [1:04:51] voters confident [1:04:53] and not intimidated [1:04:55] as well as our poll workers [1:04:57] who we so desperately need [1:04:59] first of all [1:05:03] I just want to acknowledge [1:05:04] what my friend Michael [1:05:06] shared about the fact [1:05:07] that litigators [1:05:07] are going to litigate quickly [1:05:08] and that's critically important [1:05:10] for folks to know now [1:05:11] that it's actually [1:05:12] about their rights [1:05:13] about it being unlawful [1:05:14] and that there will be [1:05:15] action taken [1:05:16] that's not unimportant [1:05:18] as part of the message [1:05:19] the other thing is [1:05:20] look [1:05:21] we as a civil rights coalition [1:05:23] fought for [1:05:24] and won policies [1:05:25] from technology companies [1:05:27] to make sure [1:05:28] the missing disinformation [1:05:29] online [1:05:30] was at least limited [1:05:31] or labeled [1:05:32] or identified in other ways [1:05:34] where the algorithm [1:05:35] would reduce the [1:05:37] way in which [1:05:38] the disinformation spread [1:05:40] the lies about [1:05:41] whether it's mail-in voting [1:05:42] whether it's fraud [1:05:45] in the 2020 election [1:05:47] and all of the disinformation [1:05:48] we're talking about [1:05:49] is rampant online [1:05:51] and it is because [1:05:52] there have been [1:05:53] either capitulation [1:05:55] or complicity [1:05:57] with allowing that disinformation [1:05:59] and lessening [1:06:00] the oversight [1:06:01] that is lawful [1:06:02] that is not a violation [1:06:03] of the first amendment [1:06:04] so there's a lot [1:06:06] that elected leaders [1:06:07] can do [1:06:07] to say [1:06:09] to the technology companies [1:06:10] those were good policies [1:06:12] they were advancing democracy [1:06:14] they were protecting [1:06:15] your user [1:06:16] and your user community [1:06:17] and we need you [1:06:18] to be doing that more [1:06:20] and then finally [1:06:22] I would say [1:06:22] I just want everyone [1:06:23] to know [1:06:24] that the organizing work [1:06:25] that is happening [1:06:26] on the ground [1:06:26] is quite real [1:06:27] and we have [1:06:29] in our faith community [1:06:30] and we've been participating [1:06:31] in the trainings [1:06:32] training clergy [1:06:35] of all faiths [1:06:36] to be mediators [1:06:38] at sites [1:06:39] in case ICE shows up [1:06:41] and ensuring [1:06:42] that we're letting communities know [1:06:44] because one of the things [1:06:45] we have learned [1:06:45] is that when voters understand [1:06:47] there is a protection network [1:06:50] for their rights [1:06:51] there are people [1:06:52] who will be present [1:06:53] that that does make a difference [1:06:56] for their sense of ability [1:06:57] to show up [1:06:58] despite the suppressive efforts [1:07:00] and the only other thing [1:07:01] I would add [1:07:02] is we have to remember [1:07:03] the swatting [1:07:04] which is what we were hearing [1:07:06] from your colleague [1:07:08] around call-ins [1:07:10] to polling sites [1:07:11] claiming bombing [1:07:12] as a pretext [1:07:14] that should be [1:07:16] the appropriate [1:07:16] local law enforcement [1:07:18] and the local election officials [1:07:20] who make the calls [1:07:21] about what happens with that [1:07:23] it's the same type of violation [1:07:25] to suggest federal agents [1:07:26] play that role [1:07:27] we should make very clear [1:07:29] who the trusted leaders are [1:07:32] in responding [1:07:33] because we do expect [1:07:34] to see an increase [1:07:35] in those kinds of swatting calls [1:07:37] to try to interrupt [1:07:39] people's right to vote [1:07:40] so we're also paying attention [1:07:42] to that [1:07:42] on the education [1:07:43] and engagement front [1:07:44] thank you so much [1:07:46] congresswoman dexter [1:07:47] next up is congresswoman [1:07:49] jill katuda [1:07:50] takuda [1:07:50] excuse me [1:07:51] of uh of hawaii [1:07:55] thank you very much [1:07:56] for being here [1:07:58] um [1:07:59] i have a lot of thoughts [1:08:01] but i have three minutes [1:08:02] so i'm gonna start [1:08:03] by just talking about [1:08:05] a few things [1:08:05] that really concern me [1:08:06] uh you know [1:08:07] i serve in the armed services committee [1:08:08] i asked secretary hegseth [1:08:11] if he would follow [1:08:12] the constitution [1:08:13] or if he would follow [1:08:14] the president [1:08:15] when it came to sending [1:08:17] the military to polls [1:08:19] he could not answer [1:08:21] my question [1:08:21] at all [1:08:22] he could also not answer [1:08:23] the question [1:08:23] when i asked him [1:08:24] if he would follow [1:08:25] president trump's orders [1:08:26] to shoot people [1:08:27] innocent people [1:08:28] protesters in the leg [1:08:29] so this gives me [1:08:31] great concern [1:08:32] that at the end of the day [1:08:34] donald trump thinks [1:08:35] brown and black voters [1:08:36] are the enemy [1:08:37] the constitution [1:08:39] is very clear [1:08:40] armed enemies [1:08:41] of the state [1:08:42] are the only way [1:08:43] the president [1:08:45] can order [1:08:45] the military [1:08:46] or ice [1:08:47] law enforcement general [1:08:48] to go to these [1:08:50] election polls [1:08:51] but he sees us [1:08:53] as the enemy [1:08:54] and so i have great concern [1:08:57] that we can file [1:08:57] every lawsuit [1:08:58] after the fact [1:08:59] but the fact [1:09:00] that he can give [1:09:01] the order to hegseth [1:09:02] that day [1:09:03] and armed men [1:09:05] and women [1:09:05] and service members [1:09:06] sadly will be forced [1:09:07] into an impossible position [1:09:09] we'll be there [1:09:10] at the polls [1:09:11] threatening voters [1:09:13] dissuading voters [1:09:14] from coming [1:09:15] again election suppression [1:09:17] happening right in our face [1:09:18] in violation [1:09:19] blatant violation [1:09:20] of the constitution [1:09:21] but happening in real time [1:09:22] what are we going to do then [1:09:24] when all of a sudden [1:09:25] the army [1:09:27] shows up [1:09:28] at the polls [1:09:29] the other thought i have [1:09:31] as i'm thinking about [1:09:31] guns at our poll sites [1:09:32] is what are we going to do [1:09:34] immediately [1:09:34] to make sure [1:09:35] our election workers [1:09:37] are safe [1:09:37] we have laws on the books [1:09:39] you have protections [1:09:39] but at the end of the day [1:09:41] what do we have to do now [1:09:43] to ensure that [1:09:44] every election worker [1:09:45] before that election day [1:09:47] and after that election day [1:09:48] and especially during [1:09:49] that election day [1:09:49] can be safe [1:09:50] is there anything [1:09:51] we've got to work [1:09:52] with our states [1:09:53] to pass right now [1:09:53] in terms of protections [1:09:55] and you know [1:09:56] different you know [1:09:58] liabilities [1:09:58] and exemptions [1:09:59] and anything [1:10:00] it has resources [1:10:01] what do we need to do [1:10:02] because i have [1:10:03] great fear [1:10:04] that yes there is [1:10:05] the guns [1:10:06] but there's also [1:10:06] the threats [1:10:07] upon our election teams [1:10:08] that make democracy work [1:10:10] and then just in a practical sense [1:10:12] then we've got all this [1:10:13] spinning in our head [1:10:14] we're in the minority [1:10:15] what can we practically do now [1:10:17] when we do not have the numbers [1:10:18] to pass a bill [1:10:20] to protect our workers [1:10:21] to keep donald trump [1:10:22] away from those polls [1:10:23] with the armed guards [1:10:24] and what is the first bill [1:10:25] we better drop [1:10:26] when we get those gavels [1:10:28] back in our hand [1:10:29] to make sure [1:10:30] that everything [1:10:30] that we've talked about here [1:10:31] today [1:10:32] can be blocked [1:10:33] from ever happening again [1:10:35] in 19 seconds [1:10:39] we have a little flexibility [1:10:42] first of all [1:10:44] i want to say [1:10:45] that even not having [1:10:46] the gavel [1:10:47] representatives [1:10:48] have some very powerful tools [1:10:50] including for that type [1:10:51] of emergency situation [1:10:52] and this is actually [1:10:54] something we shared [1:10:55] with the congressional [1:10:55] black caucus [1:10:56] at one point [1:10:57] but the ability [1:10:58] of representatives [1:10:59] to organize [1:10:59] with your community leaders [1:11:01] to have peaceful [1:11:02] turnout [1:11:03] in support of mediating [1:11:05] if the military shows up [1:11:07] that's actually vital [1:11:09] it is something [1:11:10] why we saw [1:11:11] what I consider [1:11:13] to be a baseless [1:11:14] criminal prosecution [1:11:15] of LaMonica MacGyver [1:11:16] but we should not [1:11:17] allow that [1:11:18] to be a threat [1:11:20] that prevents [1:11:20] what is an actual [1:11:22] organizing opportunity [1:11:24] for our electives [1:11:25] to do with community leaders [1:11:26] including faith leaders [1:11:27] remember when I said [1:11:28] that there's an organizing [1:11:29] of faith leaders [1:11:30] to be those moral [1:11:32] leaders [1:11:33] who are on the ground [1:11:34] to mediate [1:11:35] but there is a real [1:11:37] opportunity to be prepared [1:11:38] for that, organized for that [1:11:39] and peacefully be present [1:11:41] the second thing I would say [1:11:44] is in terms of [1:11:45] we are working as a coalition [1:11:46] to make sure you have [1:11:47] the things to drop [1:11:48] on day one [1:11:50] if you get the gavel back [1:11:51] but even without the gavel [1:11:52] even conversations like these [1:11:53] and having more of these [1:11:54] as community conversations [1:11:56] that empower [1:11:56] where and how local community leaders [1:11:59] can be active, engaged [1:12:01] and working to ensure [1:12:02] that it's peaceful [1:12:03] but that it's also responsive [1:12:05] to anything that happens [1:12:06] day of [1:12:07] is an incredibly important [1:12:09] amount of work to do now [1:12:10] and we're happy to [1:12:11] partner with you on that [1:12:12] I will add [1:12:14] two quickly [1:12:15] two things [1:12:16] law enforcement [1:12:17] can play a very significant role [1:12:20] and you as members [1:12:21] can be interacting [1:12:22] with local law enforcement [1:12:23] on this [1:12:24] there's an organization [1:12:25] that we and others [1:12:26] are part of [1:12:27] the committee for safe [1:12:29] and secure elections [1:12:30] nationwide [1:12:31] partly law enforcement [1:12:32] police, sheriffs, prosecutors [1:12:34] and partly election officials [1:12:35] from both parties [1:12:36] so that beat cops [1:12:38] are going to have [1:12:40] pocket guides [1:12:41] on how to protect [1:12:41] the elections [1:12:42] all over the country [1:12:43] that can play [1:12:44] a significant role [1:12:45] in protecting election officials [1:12:47] and giving voters [1:12:48] greater confidence [1:12:49] the other thing [1:12:49] I would say [1:12:50] is the business community [1:12:51] needs to step up [1:12:52] you think about [1:12:53] in 2020 [1:12:54] business community [1:12:55] big businesses [1:12:56] mobilized about [1:12:57] 600,000 people [1:12:59] to be poll workers [1:13:00] because of COVID [1:13:01] they can make this [1:13:02] a civic non-partisan mobilization [1:13:05] that will calm the waters [1:13:06] and diminish the chance [1:13:07] that any of these things [1:13:08] will happen [1:13:09] thank you so much [1:13:13] congresswoman Takuda [1:13:13] next up is [1:13:16] congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon [1:13:18] from Pennsylvania [1:13:19] thank you so much [1:13:21] I want to thank [1:13:21] the steering and policy committee [1:13:23] for holding this hearing [1:13:24] and bringing together [1:13:24] the combined expertise [1:13:26] of these witnesses [1:13:27] for the benefit [1:13:29] of the American people [1:13:30] we've got a lot [1:13:30] of disinformation [1:13:31] to push back on [1:13:32] you know [1:13:33] one of the enduring [1:13:34] legacies of this president [1:13:35] is going to be the extent [1:13:37] to which he has undermined [1:13:38] the faith of the American people [1:13:39] in our elections [1:13:40] claiming without truth [1:13:42] and without justification [1:13:43] that American elections [1:13:45] are not safe or reliable [1:13:46] that non-citizens [1:13:47] regularly vote [1:13:48] or that results [1:13:49] can't be trusted [1:13:50] none of that is true [1:13:52] the reality is [1:13:54] our elections [1:13:54] are administered [1:13:55] by dedicated public servants [1:13:57] members of our local communities [1:14:00] our neighbors [1:14:00] backed by rigorous safeguards [1:14:02] bipartisan oversight [1:14:04] and local officials [1:14:05] working to ensure [1:14:06] that every vote [1:14:07] is counted [1:14:07] this should not [1:14:09] be a partisan issue [1:14:10] but instead of strengthening [1:14:11] the systems [1:14:12] that keep elections [1:14:13] reliable [1:14:14] Republicans continue [1:14:15] pushing lies [1:14:16] and costly legislation [1:14:19] like the Save America Act [1:14:20] which would disenfranchise [1:14:22] millions of American citizens [1:14:24] especially women [1:14:26] young people [1:14:27] and low-income voters [1:14:28] non-citizen voting [1:14:30] is already illegal [1:14:31] all of our states [1:14:32] have in place systems [1:14:33] that ensure [1:14:34] only citizens [1:14:35] can register to vote [1:14:37] the argument is made [1:14:39] that it's common sense [1:14:40] to have voter ID [1:14:41] but the devil [1:14:43] is in the details [1:14:44] and specifically [1:14:44] which types of ID [1:14:46] are allowed [1:14:47] and I want to speak [1:14:48] directly to Pennsylvanians [1:14:50] on this one [1:14:50] the Save America Act [1:14:52] would really rely upon [1:14:53] you having a passport [1:14:54] or a real ID [1:14:56] showing citizenship [1:14:57] now in Pennsylvania [1:14:59] less than half [1:15:00] of Pennsylvanians [1:15:01] have passports [1:15:02] and in order to get one [1:15:04] it's going to cost you [1:15:04] at least $175 [1:15:06] and months [1:15:07] in order to get that passport [1:15:09] no Pennsylvanians [1:15:11] have a real ID [1:15:12] that will allow them [1:15:13] to register to vote [1:15:14] under the Save America Act [1:15:16] so it's going to be [1:15:16] a massive cost and expense [1:15:18] the estimate is [1:15:19] that at a time [1:15:20] when families [1:15:21] are already struggling [1:15:22] with higher costs [1:15:23] this bill would cost Americans [1:15:24] over $19 billion [1:15:26] $19 billion [1:15:28] is a hell of a poll tax [1:15:30] so instead of [1:15:31] manufacturing problems [1:15:32] that don't exist [1:15:33] we should be working [1:15:35] on actually strengthening [1:15:36] our systems [1:15:37] making sure [1:15:37] that our systems [1:15:39] have the resources [1:15:41] they need [1:15:41] to make it easy [1:15:42] for every citizen to vote [1:15:44] Mr. Waldman [1:15:44] you mentioned [1:15:45] that today [1:15:46] the federal court [1:15:47] has declared [1:15:48] an executive order [1:15:49] unconstitutional [1:15:50] for trying to [1:15:51] federalize elections [1:15:52] by ordering DHS [1:15:54] to make a list [1:15:55] of citizens [1:15:56] and directing [1:15:57] the postal service [1:15:58] to interfere [1:16:01] in mail-in voting [1:16:02] and yesterday [1:16:03] I think we had [1:16:04] congressional testimony [1:16:05] by the head [1:16:05] of the postal service [1:16:06] saying yep [1:16:07] he was going to go along [1:16:08] with that unconstitutional order [1:16:10] can you tell us [1:16:11] why this is such a problem [1:16:12] the way you describe it [1:16:14] sort of what could go wrong [1:16:15] with that scenario [1:16:16] the postal service [1:16:18] has an important role [1:16:19] to play [1:16:20] and it sometimes [1:16:21] struggles to play [1:16:22] even that role [1:16:23] to demand [1:16:24] or order [1:16:25] purport to order [1:16:26] that the independent [1:16:27] postal service [1:16:28] run the elections [1:16:30] and determine [1:16:30] who is eligible [1:16:31] to vote [1:16:32] is not only illegal [1:16:34] unconstitutional [1:16:35] and outrageous [1:16:35] it's absurd [1:16:37] to think that it could [1:16:38] ever actually [1:16:38] lead to anything [1:16:39] other than chaos [1:16:40] I do think [1:16:42] I do think that the courts [1:16:43] who play an important [1:16:44] if limited role [1:16:45] will step up here [1:16:46] as they have begun [1:16:47] to on this [1:16:48] the postal service [1:16:51] cannot be deciding [1:16:52] whether a state [1:16:53] in its lawful exercise [1:16:55] of its powers [1:16:56] under the constitution [1:16:57] is properly running [1:16:58] its elections [1:16:59] thank you [1:17:00] I appreciate it [1:17:00] I could just say [1:17:02] the problems [1:17:03] with voting [1:17:04] in this country [1:17:05] are not [1:17:06] who is voting [1:17:07] but who isn't [1:17:09] that's fair [1:17:10] that's fair [1:17:10] and I just want to thank [1:17:11] I think almost [1:17:12] every one of you [1:17:13] if not every one of you [1:17:14] has mentioned [1:17:14] how important it is [1:17:15] that citizens [1:17:16] step up [1:17:16] and be ambassadors [1:17:18] for democracy [1:17:19] by working at the polls [1:17:20] because you can help [1:17:21] the system work [1:17:22] and you can also [1:17:23] explain to people [1:17:24] why our elections [1:17:25] are so reliable [1:17:26] and safe [1:17:27] so thank you [1:17:27] for everything you're doing [1:17:28] thank you so much [1:17:31] congresswoman Scanlon [1:17:32] next is congresswoman [1:17:34] Delia Ramirez [1:17:34] of the great state [1:17:36] of Illinois [1:17:36] thank you so much [1:17:37] chair [1:17:38] the great state of Illinois [1:17:39] well first let me just say [1:17:42] how incredibly grateful [1:17:43] I am [1:17:43] for this opportunity [1:17:44] and this conversation [1:17:45] and having the steering [1:17:47] policy co-chairs [1:17:48] have all of you [1:17:49] witnesses here today [1:17:50] to talk about [1:17:52] how do we in fact [1:17:53] defend democracy [1:17:53] how do we in fact [1:17:55] defend election integrity [1:17:56] and what is the [1:17:58] path forward [1:17:59] so that we're never [1:18:00] here again [1:18:00] I want to thank you [1:18:02] for being here [1:18:03] you know [1:18:03] when people talk about [1:18:04] the possibility [1:18:05] of democratic backsliding [1:18:06] in the United States [1:18:07] I've been very clear [1:18:08] that possibility is gone [1:18:10] we are here [1:18:10] right [1:18:11] from big unaccountable [1:18:13] money in politics [1:18:14] buying representation [1:18:15] to authoritarians [1:18:16] that are attempting [1:18:17] to roll free [1:18:17] and fair elections [1:18:18] and frankly [1:18:19] what we were just seeing [1:18:21] with supreme court decisions [1:18:22] and spreading [1:18:23] this white nationalist terror [1:18:25] to disenfranchised [1:18:26] black brown [1:18:27] low-income voters [1:18:28] the very foundations [1:18:29] of our democracy [1:18:30] are in fact [1:18:30] under attack [1:18:31] you know [1:18:33] I heard you say [1:18:34] Mr. Weiner [1:18:35] just a moment ago [1:18:36] the problem [1:18:36] is not who is voting [1:18:37] it's about [1:18:38] who is not voting [1:18:39] and I'll tell you [1:18:41] that when I hear [1:18:41] from constituents [1:18:42] constantly [1:18:43] they're so darn tired [1:18:45] of the fights [1:18:46] they're so tired [1:18:47] of super PACs [1:18:48] shell PACs [1:18:48] billionaires [1:18:49] mega corporations [1:18:50] suppressing [1:18:51] their voice [1:18:52] at the ballot box [1:18:53] attempting to buy [1:18:54] elections [1:18:55] silence our communities [1:18:56] and they want to know [1:18:58] that the person [1:18:59] that they're electing [1:19:00] is in fact [1:19:01] the person [1:19:01] that represents them [1:19:02] and frankly [1:19:04] our communities [1:19:05] are also tired [1:19:05] of being under siege [1:19:06] by Trump's [1:19:07] national paramilitary force [1:19:08] ICE [1:19:09] today as Trump [1:19:10] deploys ICE [1:19:11] at his whim [1:19:12] seizes voting records [1:19:13] holds bipartisan bills [1:19:15] hostage [1:19:15] while he attacks [1:19:16] free and fair elections [1:19:18] we're collectively [1:19:19] confronting the threat [1:19:20] of a president [1:19:21] who is lining up [1:19:22] to pieces [1:19:22] to perpetrate a coup [1:19:24] I don't say this lightly [1:19:26] but here's where we are [1:19:28] our communities [1:19:29] are tired of having [1:19:30] the fight [1:19:31] the same fights [1:19:32] that their grandparents [1:19:33] fought against [1:19:33] white supremacists [1:19:34] who would seek to keep [1:19:35] black and brown voters [1:19:36] from exercising [1:19:37] their voting rights [1:19:37] and realizing change [1:19:39] of the ballot box [1:19:39] and it's why today's [1:19:41] roundtable is so [1:19:42] incredibly important to me [1:19:43] because it's naming [1:19:44] a reality [1:19:44] and resisting it [1:19:46] that attack on elections [1:19:47] and restrictions [1:19:48] on who gets to exercise [1:19:50] their right to vote [1:19:50] because we know [1:19:51] it's about control [1:19:52] we know it's about [1:19:53] consolidating power [1:19:54] about remaining [1:19:55] in office [1:19:56] against the will [1:19:57] of the people [1:19:57] and to that [1:19:58] I think you hear [1:19:59] from our colleagues [1:20:00] here we're saying [1:20:01] hell no [1:20:01] Ms. Reinmeier [1:20:03] access reported [1:20:04] that HSI agents [1:20:05] demanded voting [1:20:06] information [1:20:07] from two counties [1:20:08] in North Carolina [1:20:09] and Texas [1:20:09] could you tell me [1:20:11] from your perspective [1:20:12] what you foresee [1:20:13] the impact [1:20:14] of these actions [1:20:15] will be [1:20:16] on local elections [1:20:17] to voters [1:20:17] it's a good question [1:20:21] so I think [1:20:23] it's important [1:20:24] to note [1:20:24] that states [1:20:25] have laws [1:20:26] about [1:20:27] who they can [1:20:28] release that data [1:20:29] too [1:20:29] and so when we hear [1:20:30] states not turning [1:20:31] over data [1:20:32] it's because there [1:20:33] are laws in place [1:20:34] in our states [1:20:35] to prohibit [1:20:36] the turnover [1:20:36] of this data [1:20:37] and we have to think [1:20:39] about the [1:20:40] why are people [1:20:41] requesting this data [1:20:42] and there is an effort [1:20:43] to clean voter rolls [1:20:45] find duplicate voters [1:20:46] find potential [1:20:47] non-citizens [1:20:48] and I think [1:20:50] that's what [1:20:51] it's what we're [1:20:52] working towards [1:20:52] is to have [1:20:53] some kind of [1:20:54] voter list maintenance [1:20:55] program [1:20:55] at the federal level [1:20:57] that is my assumption [1:20:58] got it [1:20:59] thank you [1:21:00] I know my time is up [1:21:01] so I'll go ahead [1:21:01] and yield back [1:21:02] to the chair [1:21:02] but thank you so much [1:21:03] for being here [1:21:03] thank you so much [1:21:04] congresswoman Ramirez [1:21:05] next up is [1:21:07] congresswoman [1:21:07] lucy mcbath [1:21:08] of georgia [1:21:09] madam chair [1:21:13] I really really [1:21:13] appreciate being here [1:21:14] and as one [1:21:15] who's been [1:21:15] gerrymandered [1:21:16] three times [1:21:17] definitely [1:21:19] I'm really glad [1:21:20] to have our [1:21:20] witnesses here [1:21:21] thank you so much [1:21:22] for appearing before us [1:21:23] this year [1:21:23] we're going to [1:21:24] actually celebrate [1:21:25] the 61st anniversary [1:21:27] of the voting rights act [1:21:28] but our fight [1:21:29] for the right to vote [1:21:30] continues [1:21:31] since I was a toddler [1:21:33] and I'm not going to [1:21:34] tell you how old I am [1:21:35] just a couple years [1:21:38] I've attended [1:21:39] numerous marches [1:21:40] and rallies [1:21:41] you know [1:21:43] just demanding [1:21:43] equity for all [1:21:45] and you know [1:21:45] pushing for a better future [1:21:46] because the right to vote [1:21:47] is a right [1:21:49] to have your voice heard [1:21:50] and today [1:21:51] that right is under attack [1:21:52] I grew up in the [1:21:53] civil rights movement [1:21:54] at three years of age [1:21:55] yes I was in the stroller [1:21:56] at the march [1:21:57] on Washington [1:21:58] we saw it in the [1:22:00] Calais decision [1:22:01] which kicked off [1:22:02] a wave of efforts [1:22:03] across the south [1:22:04] which I live in Georgia [1:22:05] to draw black voices [1:22:07] into silence [1:22:08] we saw this week [1:22:09] when the sitting president [1:22:10] refused to sign a [1:22:11] bipartisan housing [1:22:12] reform bill [1:22:13] that would have [1:22:14] revived the American [1:22:16] dream of home ownership [1:22:17] simply because [1:22:18] he wanted a voter [1:22:19] suppression bill [1:22:20] passed instead [1:22:22] and we are seeing it [1:22:23] right now in Georgia [1:22:24] where the Department [1:22:26] of Justice [1:22:27] has seized [1:22:27] our 2020 [1:22:29] voter ballots [1:22:30] and election records [1:22:32] from Fulton County [1:22:33] and is now demanding [1:22:35] the personal information [1:22:36] of 3,000 election workers [1:22:39] and volunteers [1:22:40] intimidation [1:22:42] intimidation [1:22:43] intimidation [1:22:44] not because [1:22:45] any court [1:22:46] recount [1:22:47] or investigation [1:22:47] has ever [1:22:48] found evidence [1:22:49] of fraud [1:22:50] but because [1:22:51] this administration [1:22:52] wants to intimidate [1:22:54] the people [1:22:54] who make [1:22:55] our elections [1:22:56] run soundly [1:22:57] and smoothly [1:22:58] our votes [1:22:59] are being threatened [1:23:00] on every front [1:23:01] but I know [1:23:03] that we're not [1:23:03] going to be silenced [1:23:04] and the people's will [1:23:05] is not going to be silent [1:23:07] Georgia has been [1:23:08] ground zero [1:23:09] for voting rights [1:23:11] for decades [1:23:12] and it still is today [1:23:15] and I've been [1:23:16] redistricted [1:23:17] as I said [1:23:17] three times [1:23:18] three times [1:23:20] just since [1:23:20] I've been here [1:23:21] in Congress [1:23:22] this is my [1:23:23] eighth year [1:23:24] and I've represented [1:23:25] nearly 2.3 million [1:23:28] Georgians [1:23:28] at this point [1:23:29] that's more than [1:23:30] any other representative [1:23:31] in the history [1:23:32] of my state [1:23:34] the redistricting [1:23:35] in my state [1:23:36] has left voters [1:23:36] so confused [1:23:38] that it's a daily [1:23:39] occurrence [1:23:40] even among people [1:23:41] who consider themselves [1:23:42] politically savvy [1:23:43] I'm speaking to people [1:23:44] all the time [1:23:45] who say [1:23:45] I am in your district [1:23:48] and I have to say [1:23:48] which district [1:23:49] are you in [1:23:49] because they're confused [1:23:52] they don't know [1:23:53] it's our job [1:23:53] to make sure [1:23:54] that we stay connected [1:23:55] with our local officials [1:23:56] and organizations [1:23:57] to ensure [1:23:58] our constituencies [1:23:59] remain informed [1:24:01] to combat [1:24:02] voter suppression [1:24:03] Ms. Reinemeyer [1:24:06] your experience [1:24:07] can provide us [1:24:09] with first-hand feedback [1:24:10] on what it's like [1:24:11] to be an election worker [1:24:13] these workers [1:24:14] and volunteers [1:24:15] they're essential [1:24:16] to our voting apparatus [1:24:18] yet they're increasingly [1:24:19] facing threats [1:24:21] harassment [1:24:22] and a flood [1:24:23] of disinformation [1:24:23] meant to undermine [1:24:24] their work [1:24:25] what strategies [1:24:27] should we be offering [1:24:28] our election workers [1:24:29] and grassroots organizers [1:24:31] to keep them safe [1:24:32] from this intimidation [1:24:34] and to help them [1:24:35] and our voters [1:24:35] combat [1:24:36] the disinformation [1:24:37] that's clouding [1:24:38] the process [1:24:39] thank you so much [1:24:41] it's a very good question [1:24:42] and I'd actually like [1:24:43] to bring in [1:24:44] the Brennan Center [1:24:44] so one of the things [1:24:45] that I attended recently [1:24:47] was a meeting [1:24:49] that they held [1:24:50] for metro jurisdictions [1:24:51] across the country [1:24:52] and they had a presentation [1:24:54] that helped educate [1:24:55] local election officials [1:24:57] on just navigating [1:24:58] the different legal systems [1:24:59] so what happens [1:25:00] when you're served [1:25:01] with a subpoena [1:25:02] versus somebody [1:25:04] trying to get [1:25:04] your court records [1:25:05] we aren't [1:25:06] local election administrators [1:25:07] and our poll workers [1:25:07] they are not familiar [1:25:08] with the criminal justice system [1:25:10] so when law enforcement [1:25:11] shows up your door [1:25:12] with something [1:25:13] a legal paperwork [1:25:14] demanding access [1:25:15] to something [1:25:16] we don't know [1:25:17] who to call [1:25:17] and we don't know [1:25:18] how to proceed [1:25:19] when that happens [1:25:20] so what we're doing now [1:25:22] what we're seeing now [1:25:22] is training [1:25:23] and how to handle [1:25:24] this event [1:25:25] should it happen [1:25:26] so when we have [1:25:27] so now [1:25:28] in the future [1:25:29] local election administrators [1:25:31] are going to be [1:25:31] more prepared [1:25:32] when somebody shows up [1:25:34] and is asking [1:25:35] for access to information [1:25:36] asking for ballots [1:25:37] or asking things [1:25:38] and we can do that too [1:25:39] with our poll workers [1:25:40] as well [1:25:40] so when the police [1:25:41] are knocking on their door [1:25:42] asking them [1:25:43] about information [1:25:44] we need to make sure [1:25:45] they're educated [1:25:46] and they know [1:25:46] what their rights are [1:25:48] when they encounter [1:25:50] these scenarios [1:25:51] does that make sense [1:25:52] thank you so much [1:25:53] and I do [1:25:54] thank you so much [1:25:56] congresswoman McFath [1:25:57] next up is [1:25:59] congressman Hank Johnson [1:26:01] also of the great [1:26:02] state of Georgia [1:26:02] thank you madam chair [1:26:04] and thank you all [1:26:06] for hosting this [1:26:07] very important hearing [1:26:09] and thank you [1:26:09] to the witnesses [1:26:10] for your testimony today [1:26:12] I'd like to talk [1:26:13] a little bit about [1:26:14] the cyber security threat [1:26:16] in a state like Georgia [1:26:19] that electronic voting [1:26:23] is the way that we vote [1:26:25] throughout the state [1:26:26] they are touch screen [1:26:31] electronic voting machines [1:26:33] and now the president [1:26:36] is dismantling the apparatus [1:26:41] to protect the nation [1:26:42] from cyber security threats [1:26:44] in so far as voting is concerned [1:26:48] like you know [1:26:50] firing people at CISA [1:26:52] what impact [1:26:55] or what are the ramifications [1:26:58] of what the president [1:27:00] has been doing [1:27:01] on the integrity [1:27:03] of the voting process [1:27:05] in jurisdictions [1:27:06] where direct ballot [1:27:10] touch screen electronic voting [1:27:13] is taking place [1:27:14] which is about 30% [1:27:15] of the voters [1:27:16] in the country [1:27:17] oh one thing [1:27:24] is undermining [1:27:26] the confidence [1:27:26] of people [1:27:27] in the electoral process [1:27:30] without any evidence [1:27:32] that there is a problem [1:27:34] the other concern [1:27:36] is that the president [1:27:37] will use concerns [1:27:39] about voting machines [1:27:41] to seize those machines [1:27:44] either before the election [1:27:46] or after the election [1:27:48] and use [1:27:50] and break the chain [1:27:53] of custody [1:27:53] so that [1:27:54] it will be difficult [1:27:55] to certify [1:27:57] an election [1:27:58] well even [1:27:59] before getting [1:28:00] to that point [1:28:01] foreign interference [1:28:03] or malign [1:28:04] bad actors [1:28:05] domestic [1:28:06] having influence [1:28:11] I mean [1:28:12] we know that [1:28:14] the process [1:28:15] is not [1:28:16] fail proof [1:28:17] that it can be [1:28:19] hacked into [1:28:20] yes [1:28:21] I think [1:28:22] that's an important [1:28:23] issue [1:28:25] that looms [1:28:26] large [1:28:27] over the horizon [1:28:28] as we approach [1:28:29] November of 2026 [1:28:31] can anybody [1:28:32] talk about [1:28:33] additional threats [1:28:35] posed [1:28:36] by the post office [1:28:37] in terms of [1:28:39] voting suppression [1:28:40] we know that [1:28:41] Trump issued [1:28:42] an executive order [1:28:43] but there are [1:28:45] other things [1:28:45] like postmarking [1:28:47] of ballots [1:28:48] and things like that [1:28:50] are there other threats [1:28:51] that we need to know about [1:28:52] that emanate [1:28:53] from the use [1:28:54] of the post office [1:28:55] as a voter suppression [1:28:57] tool [1:28:58] you're right [1:29:02] that changes [1:29:03] at the postal service [1:29:05] some of them [1:29:06] unrelated to [1:29:07] to elections [1:29:08] presumably [1:29:09] raise [1:29:10] continued concerns [1:29:11] over relying [1:29:13] on that [1:29:13] as the only way [1:29:14] for people to vote [1:29:15] our answer [1:29:16] has been to encourage [1:29:17] people to vote early [1:29:18] to vote in person [1:29:20] early if available [1:29:22] to use drop boxes [1:29:23] and that sort of thing [1:29:24] as well as the postal service [1:29:26] because it's under [1:29:27] tremendous pressure [1:29:27] and they've made changes [1:29:29] relating to [1:29:29] as you said [1:29:30] to postmarking [1:29:31] for reasons having nothing [1:29:33] at least [1:29:33] it is said [1:29:35] for elections [1:29:36] and certainly [1:29:38] as we've said [1:29:39] over and over [1:29:39] the postal service [1:29:41] does not have the right [1:29:42] under the law [1:29:43] to run state elections [1:29:45] thank you [1:29:46] with that I hope [1:29:47] thank you so much [1:29:48] Congressman Johnson [1:29:49] next up is [1:29:50] our colleague [1:29:51] Congressman Herb Conaway [1:29:52] from the great state [1:29:53] of New Jersey [1:29:54] and thank you [1:29:57] for allowing me [1:29:59] to say a few words [1:30:00] here and before [1:30:01] this hearing [1:30:02] by this policy [1:30:04] and steering committee [1:30:05] you know I've [1:30:07] as a physician [1:30:08] I've spent my career [1:30:09] looking at systems [1:30:10] how they work [1:30:12] if you have [1:30:13] a system [1:30:13] that works [1:30:15] as designed [1:30:16] to produce [1:30:17] great outcomes [1:30:18] you will have [1:30:20] something that [1:30:21] will work [1:30:22] or in the case [1:30:23] of health care [1:30:23] to help promote [1:30:25] individual health [1:30:27] and public health [1:30:28] beyond that [1:30:29] here we have [1:30:30] in our country [1:30:31] the best election system [1:30:33] in the world [1:30:33] and it's being [1:30:35] run in the ground [1:30:36] it's being defamed [1:30:37] by the president [1:30:38] of the United States [1:30:39] for his own [1:30:42] personal interest [1:30:44] and the interests [1:30:45] of his party [1:30:46] and remaining [1:30:47] in power [1:30:48] but our election officials [1:30:50] take their job [1:30:51] and responsibilities [1:30:52] very seriously [1:30:53] they are not [1:30:55] particularly well paid [1:30:56] but they are [1:30:57] dedicated [1:30:58] to the law [1:31:00] and the foundational [1:31:01] principles of our country [1:31:02] and thank God [1:31:04] for them [1:31:04] because they have been [1:31:05] under extraordinary [1:31:07] pressures [1:31:07] from people [1:31:09] who use the internet [1:31:10] who get on the phone [1:31:11] who basically harass them [1:31:14] I was proud [1:31:15] to participate [1:31:17] as a member [1:31:18] of the democratic caucus [1:31:19] on the veterans affairs committee [1:31:21] just yesterday [1:31:22] where we heard [1:31:23] from veterans [1:31:24] across the country [1:31:26] involved in a coalition [1:31:27] to invite [1:31:29] and encourage veterans [1:31:31] to serve [1:31:32] as election board workers [1:31:34] to serve [1:31:35] on election day [1:31:36] to once again [1:31:38] answer the call [1:31:39] of their nation [1:31:40] to defend [1:31:41] and protect [1:31:42] our constitution [1:31:44] and the bedrock principles [1:31:46] of a free [1:31:47] and fair election [1:31:48] so that the people [1:31:49] may express themselves [1:31:50] before [1:31:52] as respects [1:31:54] their government [1:31:55] and the constitution [1:31:57] is clear [1:31:58] about [1:32:00] the fact [1:32:00] that elections [1:32:01] are administered [1:32:01] by the states [1:32:02] and overseen [1:32:03] by the congress [1:32:04] and not controlled [1:32:05] by the white house [1:32:06] it was a very [1:32:07] important [1:32:08] principle [1:32:08] that has been [1:32:09] foundational [1:32:10] for our country [1:32:11] because power [1:32:12] as its history [1:32:14] has shown [1:32:15] often corrupts [1:32:16] and it often corrupts [1:32:18] really quite thoroughly [1:32:19] and as I believe [1:32:20] we're seeing [1:32:21] we're experiencing [1:32:22] here in our own country [1:32:23] and so we should [1:32:24] reject [1:32:25] efforts to politicize [1:32:28] or centralize [1:32:29] election administration [1:32:30] we know [1:32:32] how [1:32:33] what that will result in [1:32:34] I think people [1:32:35] are forgetting [1:32:36] that we [1:32:37] we use the [1:32:39] the power [1:32:40] to raise our voice [1:32:41] which is now being [1:32:41] encumbered by the president [1:32:42] we're putting people [1:32:43] in jail [1:32:44] who have [1:32:44] who have been engaged [1:32:45] in protests [1:32:46] one of the important [1:32:48] what wasn't a right then [1:32:49] but it was certainly [1:32:51] an expression [1:32:51] of the [1:32:53] of [1:32:54] the [1:32:55] desire [1:32:56] of people [1:32:57] to engage [1:32:58] in self-determination [1:33:00] to direct their own course [1:33:01] as individuals [1:33:02] and as people [1:33:03] and here we have [1:33:04] a president [1:33:05] who is [1:33:05] throwing people in jail [1:33:08] for raising [1:33:08] their voice [1:33:10] in protest [1:33:11] and striking [1:33:13] at the very heart [1:33:14] of our democracy [1:33:15] a vote is an act [1:33:16] of love for your country [1:33:17] and [1:33:18] and let's [1:33:19] let people [1:33:20] let let's let that love [1:33:21] spread as far [1:33:22] and wide as it can [1:33:23] thank you [1:33:24] thank you so much [1:33:26] congressman conaway [1:33:27] and next is [1:33:28] congressman wesley bell [1:33:29] from the great state of missouri [1:33:30] thank you [1:33:31] madam chair [1:33:32] yesterday [1:33:33] postmaster general steiner [1:33:35] confirmed under oath [1:33:37] that the postal service [1:33:39] will refuse to deliver [1:33:40] mail ballots [1:33:41] to states that [1:33:42] don't surrender [1:33:43] their voter rolls [1:33:44] to this administration [1:33:45] under our constitution [1:33:47] it is absolutely [1:33:49] the purview of state [1:33:51] and local officials [1:33:52] not the president [1:33:53] who administer elections [1:33:55] serve voters [1:33:56] and count the ballots [1:33:57] that determine [1:33:58] who the people [1:33:59] choose [1:34:00] and my colleague [1:34:02] reminded me [1:34:03] of the saying [1:34:04] that power corrupts [1:34:05] and absolute power [1:34:06] corrupts absolutely [1:34:08] and the thread [1:34:10] running through [1:34:10] all of this [1:34:11] is the same [1:34:13] the president [1:34:14] doesn't trust elections [1:34:15] he might lose [1:34:16] and he is using [1:34:18] every lever [1:34:19] of federal power [1:34:20] to make it harder [1:34:22] to vote [1:34:22] miss rhina meyer [1:34:24] i want to ask you [1:34:25] a question first [1:34:26] when the president [1:34:28] claims mail-in voting [1:34:29] is riddled with fraud [1:34:31] and uses that claim [1:34:33] to justify withholding [1:34:35] ballot delivery [1:34:36] unless states [1:34:37] hand over their voter rolls [1:34:38] what does that look like [1:34:40] from where you sit [1:34:41] and the follow-up to that is [1:34:43] is there an epidemic [1:34:44] of fraud [1:34:45] in your mail ballot program [1:34:46] that justifies [1:34:47] this kind of federal intervention [1:34:49] i think it's really important [1:34:52] for voters [1:34:53] and elected officials [1:34:54] to understand that [1:34:55] the vote-by-mail system [1:34:56] in virginia [1:34:57] requires that voters record [1:34:59] to be touched [1:35:00] a minimum of four times [1:35:01] we're going to verify [1:35:02] is this voter [1:35:03] who's applying [1:35:04] for a mail ballot [1:35:05] are they registered to vote [1:35:06] we're going to send them [1:35:08] the ballot [1:35:08] then when the ballot [1:35:09] comes back [1:35:10] we're going to verify [1:35:11] that they haven't voted yet [1:35:12] and that it was signed [1:35:14] and all their information [1:35:15] matches their voter record [1:35:16] on their forms [1:35:17] and then we have [1:35:18] a second verification step [1:35:19] before that vote [1:35:20] is ultimately counted [1:35:21] and there [1:35:23] so that is far more [1:35:24] verification steps [1:35:25] that are involved [1:35:26] with any in-person voting [1:35:27] processes in virginia [1:35:28] so to accuse that system [1:35:31] of having fraud in it [1:35:32] it is frustrating [1:35:33] because it is actually [1:35:34] more time consuming [1:35:35] and there are more checks [1:35:37] in place than there are [1:35:38] with an in-person voting system [1:35:39] thank you [1:35:40] and mr. weiner [1:35:41] postmaster general steiner [1:35:44] confirmed yesterday [1:35:45] yesterday that under [1:35:47] the administration's [1:35:48] proposed rule [1:35:49] usps will refuse [1:35:51] to mail ballots [1:35:52] to states [1:35:53] that don't hand over [1:35:54] their absentee voter rolls [1:35:56] to the federal government [1:35:57] can you walk us through [1:35:59] what constitutional authority [1:36:00] the postal service [1:36:02] believes [1:36:02] it has to condition [1:36:04] ballot delivery [1:36:05] on states surrendering [1:36:06] voter data [1:36:07] well the answer [1:36:11] i think is none [1:36:12] on the [1:36:13] that's what i anticipated [1:36:15] the postal service [1:36:16] has an obligation [1:36:17] to deliver the mail [1:36:19] that is the duty [1:36:23] that congress imposed [1:36:24] on them [1:36:25] there are no circumstances [1:36:27] other than [1:36:28] there are specific [1:36:29] circumstances [1:36:31] where the postal service [1:36:33] can refuse [1:36:34] to deliver the mail [1:36:35] when it's unsafe [1:36:37] and there are specified [1:36:39] reasons in the statute [1:36:41] not fulfilling [1:36:44] the president's desires [1:36:46] regarding who gets [1:36:47] to vote [1:36:48] is not one [1:36:49] of the reasons [1:36:50] the postal service [1:36:51] is entitled [1:36:51] to invoke [1:36:53] thank you madam chair [1:36:55] for organizing this [1:36:56] and i yield back [1:36:57] thank you so much [1:36:57] congressman bell [1:36:58] and congressman john manion [1:37:01] of uh [1:37:01] my original home state [1:37:03] of new york [1:37:03] thank you madam chair [1:37:06] thank you all [1:37:07] for being here today [1:37:08] uh [1:37:09] i run in swing districts [1:37:12] my first election [1:37:13] in 2018 [1:37:14] for state senate [1:37:15] i lost by 1.9 percent [1:37:17] so i went through [1:37:18] for an absentee count [1:37:19] um in 2020 [1:37:22] uh i won [1:37:25] by 5 percent [1:37:26] in 2020 [1:37:28] in an absentee count [1:37:30] as you can imagine [1:37:30] and then in 2022 [1:37:32] i was redistricted [1:37:33] and i won a state senate seat [1:37:35] with over [1:37:36] 123,000 votes [1:37:37] cast [1:37:38] by 10 votes [1:37:40] so [1:37:41] then i ran for congress [1:37:43] that was [1:37:43] a piece of cake [1:37:44] the uh [1:37:45] so miss reine meyer [1:37:46] i thank you [1:37:47] and all of your colleagues [1:37:49] for what you do [1:37:49] um [1:37:51] and appreciate it [1:37:52] and uh [1:37:53] miss uh [1:37:54] representative dexter [1:37:55] mentioned the ice incident [1:37:57] that occurred [1:37:57] in my district [1:37:58] in my district [1:37:59] and we could talk about that [1:38:01] but i want to get to this [1:38:02] um [1:38:03] people want to know [1:38:04] what they can do [1:38:04] so [1:38:05] you had mentioned [1:38:07] mr weiner [1:38:07] that people can work [1:38:09] as a poll worker [1:38:10] they can work [1:38:10] as a poll [1:38:11] uh observer [1:38:12] and i mentioned that [1:38:13] what else can people [1:38:15] do [1:38:15] because they want [1:38:17] to defend [1:38:17] this democracy [1:38:19] well they [1:38:22] they can vote [1:38:24] and vote early [1:38:25] uh that's really important [1:38:28] to make sure [1:38:29] that their voice [1:38:30] gets heard [1:38:31] they can volunteer [1:38:33] they can [1:38:35] uh come [1:38:36] uh work on [1:38:38] our hotline [1:38:39] um 866 [1:38:41] our vote [1:38:42] and they can [1:38:45] and you can [1:38:46] get the message out [1:38:48] that our voting system [1:38:50] is safe [1:38:51] and it's reliable [1:38:53] i think [1:38:54] three ten thousandths [1:38:57] of one percent [1:38:58] of the votes [1:38:59] are [1:39:00] uh by uh [1:39:02] foreign citizens [1:39:03] that's [1:39:04] that's what [1:39:05] we're [1:39:05] that's what the save act [1:39:07] is [1:39:08] is about [1:39:09] that's what [1:39:10] all this falderall [1:39:11] from trump [1:39:12] is about [1:39:13] three ten thousandths [1:39:15] of a percent [1:39:15] our system is safe [1:39:17] and that message [1:39:18] is important [1:39:19] and thank you [1:39:20] anyone else [1:39:21] i i wanted you [1:39:23] to be able to say [1:39:23] that hotline again [1:39:25] i will share that [1:39:26] it is appropriate [1:39:27] for everyday [1:39:28] folks who want to help [1:39:30] to call that [1:39:31] is a coalition [1:39:32] is there a place [1:39:33] is there a website [1:39:34] is there a phone number [1:39:36] where people can say [1:39:37] i want to help [1:39:37] and this is how i can [1:39:38] well anyone can sign up [1:39:40] for civil right [1:39:41] at civil rights.org [1:39:42] for more information [1:39:43] it is our member organizations [1:39:45] like the lawyers committee [1:39:46] like um [1:39:48] the brennan center [1:39:49] and like so many others [1:39:50] naacp [1:39:51] i was born in syracuse [1:39:52] by the way [1:39:53] miss wiley [1:39:55] go cuse [1:39:56] you know who else [1:39:57] lived there [1:39:58] who else [1:39:59] uh jalen brunson [1:40:00] well hi [1:40:01] go nicks [1:40:02] okay [1:40:03] um but i say that [1:40:06] the um the the the the the the the way in which we can connect folks to all the work that's [1:40:11] happening on the coalition the information is generally shared that way um and if there's [1:40:16] any other connection we can make please feel free to reach out and we will do so [1:40:20] all of that i appreciate all of that as do the patriotic americans out there across this country [1:40:26] thank you thank you so much congressman manion and uh bringing us home for this uh really [1:40:33] incredibly important hearing is congresswoman melanie stansbury from the great state of new [1:40:37] mexico [1:40:38] all right well good afternoon everyone thank you so much for being here today [1:40:44] i think the number one question i get asked when i'm home in new mexico and across the country [1:40:49] is are we going to have another free and fair election and my first answer is yes in fact in [1:40:55] most states right now we are having them as primaries and so if you have not yet voted yet [1:40:59] please go out and vote that is the most important thing you can do right now to exercise [1:41:03] your democratic right to the ballot box but as we know we've seen unabashed attacks every single [1:41:10] day by this administration in every branch of government on our voting system and i think [1:41:16] the number one question that people want to know is what are we going to do worst case scenario what [1:41:22] are we going to do especially on election day and i want to say thank you to the chairman to the [1:41:27] democratic caucus because we do have a plan and we want america to know that we have a plan [1:41:32] and that plan includes uh shoring up voter integrity and poll watching in every state it includes states [1:41:39] who are passing laws like new mexico to keep armed agents away from our polling stations and to give [1:41:45] local jurisdictions the ability to enforce that uh it's states like new mexico who have expanded [1:41:50] voting rights and are protecting them and it is also our litigation strategy so i wonder actually [1:41:57] if i could ask uh mr waldman and miss wiley what is our plan if worst case scenario the president does [1:42:04] not accept the election results on election day and what can americans do to be prepared the states [1:42:12] decide who has won the elections presidents do not indeed the federal government does not [1:42:17] and one protection that exists is that certification of these results is a ministerial matter it happens [1:42:25] as a routine matter in counties and states all across the country we need to push back against [1:42:30] disinformation and and lies uh about elections uh being rigged when somebody loses an election they [1:42:37] and they proclaim that that's what's occurred uh state and local governments have a very critical role [1:42:42] to play members of congress will have a critical role to play as well but the fundamental bottom line [1:42:47] fact is something that we all took for granted which is the results are in the hands of the voters [1:42:51] we need to lift up the voice of the voters as who made the decision and that will render uh illegitimate [1:42:59] all the efforts to try to to undo what the voters did and in other words we'll need to use the courts to do that [1:43:05] and the courts have stepped up over and over again not just this year but previously on this kind of thing [1:43:11] we hope they will continue to do so yeah and i um you know what he said but also just to say i think this [1:43:19] is incumbent and we've been saying this for our elected leaders to also be we meeting with local [1:43:25] community leaders and our coalitional leaders because those plans are going to need to be tailored [1:43:30] also place to place there are going to be different dynamics there are different issues of who a secretary of [1:43:36] state is for example and where and how the levers that can be drawn but the the work with community [1:43:42] leaders on what the organizing on the ground is for that type of potential threat on election day [1:43:49] and also post you know in terms of the accounting of votes uh and what we could see from a federal [1:43:55] government that tries to claim the votes that have been certified by a state cannot be counted because [1:44:01] they're going to claim that undocumented immigrants voted that's that is also something that we're [1:44:06] planning for that is beyond the actual day of election so there's a lot we can do to be organized [1:44:11] on the ground around where and how people show up and be loud in a peaceful way about what their rights [1:44:19] are what is happening and who can be trusted which is their local election administration and state [1:44:25] administrators well thank you very much and madam chair thank you for the opportunity [1:44:30] and i just want to reassure the american people we are still a free and fair democracy your voice is [1:44:36] your vote stand up speak up show up like no one has ever shown up before because this is our year [1:44:42] thank you thank you so much congresswoman stansbury i'm actually going to ask a question myself um just [1:44:49] as we wrap up and that is that i know you're all familiar with the um fact that the house of [1:44:55] representatives is the ultimate arbiter of who sits in our body and who is seated and after an election [1:45:03] i mean we do have certification documents that are sent from secretaries of state and heads of division [1:45:09] of elections but i mean i have heard concerns about the possibility of you know collusion with the white [1:45:17] house or the initiative themselves of the speaker and the republic of the current republican majority [1:45:26] particularly because it is likely that they will lose the majority in this election whether they [1:45:33] engage in refusal to seat duly elected members of congress who have beaten republicans and uh how [1:45:41] that can be dealt with in the event that that happens that's attempted i know that folks are [1:45:51] thinking about that but i would i would again suggest that the most important thing any of us can do and [1:45:57] certainly that all of you can do with the extraordinarily powerful access to uh the public megaphone [1:46:04] that you have is that the voters decide it's the voice of the voters that matters and then any game [1:46:10] playing uh finagling trying to use the rules at any level but certainly in congress is to undo the will [1:46:17] of the voters that's the and and it's important in a sense almost to not normalize the idea that it might [1:46:23] happen because that would be an extraordinary breach of what we've always had in running elections and so [1:46:30] that to us is the most fundamental thing that that we all should say to ourselves but say out loud we need [1:46:36] these elections to not be close people need to vote early and get their ballots in um when a when [1:46:43] there's no other choice for but for a secretary of state or a head of a division of elections to certify the [1:46:48] results of an election because it's not close then it becomes harder for that that out that nightmarish [1:46:55] outcome to uh to be something we're facing so well that was certainly a sobering conversation that we've had and [1:47:02] the challenges that we face to preserve our sacred democracy clearly exists at every level of our [1:47:08] governing structure um whether it's underfunded security measures for our local ballot booths [1:47:13] to the electoral integrity subversion and corruption corroding the oval office that occurs even as we are [1:47:20] meeting here right now our democracy needs stout defenders and thankfully there was a room full of us [1:47:27] committed to that cause today and i know the people that i represent and each and every one of my [1:47:31] colleagues who showed up today even though many that they all could have flown home since uh [1:47:36] since the dysfunction caused the cancellation of votes tomorrow um from our friends in the majority [1:47:43] but i know the people i represent want to have a fair regular say in who they send to washington on [1:47:48] their behalf and so i know i stand we stand with all of you to ensure america's electoral system stay [1:47:55] strong secure well resourced and free from the distrust and foreign interference that that actors desire [1:48:01] as big d democrats we'll do all we can to build voting guardrails keep mail-in ballots safe restore [1:48:07] the voting rights act and ensure americans have faith that our elections are secure [1:48:12] so thank you all again for paying playing such a strong role in our effort today and with that the [1:48:18] the committee stands adjourned [1:48:27] you