Senate Republicans Block Election Security Funding

The Associated Press reports:

The Republican-controlled Senate has defeated a push by Democrats to set aside an additional $250 million for states to upgrade their voting systems to protect against hacking and other cyberattacks. An amendment offered by Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy received 50 yes votes, 10 short of the 60 needed for approval.

Leahy said securing U.S. elections and “safeguarding our democracy” is not a partisan issue. He said the Senate “must send a clear message to Russia and other foreign adversaries that tampering in our elections will not be tolerated. The president will not act. This duty has fallen to us.”

Sen. Bob Corker was the only GOP “yes” vote. Senators McCain, Flake, and Burr did not vote. House Republicans blocked a similar bill last month.