Democrats demand Homeland Security officials fund election security ahead of midterms
Democratic lawmakers are demanding that the Trump administration release $39.6 million in congressionally approved funds for election security. The letter highlights concerns that the lack of funding leaves state and local election infrastructure vulnerable to cyber threats and disinformation.
Why it matters
Election integrity is a central pillar of democratic stability, and funding gaps directly impact the ability of local officials to defend against foreign and domestic interference.
Two Democrats tasked with overseeing federal elections are asking why the Trump administration hasn't distributed money to protect state and local elections as directed by Congress.
Sen. Alex Padilla of California and Rep. Joseph Morelle of New York authored a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and the acting head of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Nick Anderson, to demand they restore over $39.6 million in funds to a range of specific election security efforts as legislated in the fiscal year 2026 DHS Appropriations bill passed in April. NPR was provided an exclusive copy of the letter.
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