Washington, United States
News Desk | Politics
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar on Wednesday called for strengthened election security and voter access protections as Congress renewed debate over federal safeguards ahead of upcoming national elections, according to statements from her office and Senate aides. Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota and chair of the Senate Rules Committee, said recent threats to election infrastructure underscored the need for clear federal standards and funding.
Amy Klobuchar said the committee is reviewing proposals that would bolster protections for election workers, improve cybersecurity for voting systems, and ensure states have resources to administer elections safely. Her office said the effort follows consultations with state election officials and federal agencies responsible for election security.
The Minnesota senator has long positioned herself as a leading voice on democracy issues, sponsoring or co-sponsoring legislation aimed at protecting ballot access and combating election interference. She previously authored the bipartisan Electoral Count Reform Act, which was signed into law in 2022 after the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
In recent remarks, Amy Klobuchar emphasized that election administration remains primarily a state responsibility but said federal coordination is necessary to address nationwide threats. Election officials and workers should be able to do their jobs without fear or intimidation, she said, according to a statement released by her office.
Republican lawmakers have expressed concerns about federal overreach, arguing that election rules should remain under state control. Committee staff said hearings are expected to include testimony from state officials, cybersecurity experts, and law enforcement representatives.
Any legislative proposals emerging from the Rules Committee would still need bipartisan support to advance in the evenly divided Senate. Senate leaders have not announced a timeline for a floor vote.
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