Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Miles Parks, NPR

Senators hold election security hearing after releasing recommendations for 2018

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Senators are grilling top intelligence and election officials Wednesday on Capitol Hill, as they continue to investigate how to better secure voting systems in the U.S.

The hearing before the Senate intelligence committee comes a day after the panel released a list of recommendations to enhance security, including improving communication between the Department of Homeland Security and state officials, "rapidly" replacing aging voting machines across the country and passing legislation in Congress to get states more money to improve cybersecurity.

The hearing is part of the committee's ongoing investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Russian operatives targeted the voting systems of at least 21 states leading up to the 2016 election, according to DHS, and were able to successfully hack into at least one. There is no evidence, however, that any votes were changed.

"The Russians were relentless in attempting to meddle in the 2016 elections and they will continue their efforts to undermine public confidence in Western democracies and in the legitimacy of our elections," said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, during a Tuesday press conference announcing the committee's recommendations.

Republican and Democrat members of the Senate intelligence committee have made a vocal effort to keep improving voter security a nonpartisan issue. That comes in stark contrast to the House intelligence committee, which is essentially performing two separate investigations into Russian interference.

Wednesday's hearing features testimony from DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, former DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson, as well as representatives from the National Association of Secretaries of State and the National Association of State Election Directors.