Legislation to Protect the Integrity of U.S. Elections Cosponsored by Underwood Passes House | Representative Lauren Underwood
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Legislation to Protect the Integrity of U.S. Elections Cosponsored by Underwood Passes House

October 24, 2019

The SHIELD Act takes critical steps to protect our elections and our democracy

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, legislation Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) cosponsored, the Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy (SHIELD) Act (H.R. 4617), passed the House of Representatives. The SHIELD Act takes steps to fight foreign interference in our elections by strengthening reporting requirements, closing loopholes, and deterring foreign activity in U.S. elections. The passage of this bill builds on previously passed Underwood-backed legislation to secure U.S. elections including the For The People Act (H.R. 1) and the Securing America's Federal Elections (SAFE) Act (H.R. 2722).

"Election security is national security, so I am committed to doing everything I can to prevent foreign adversaries from influencing future elections," said Rep. Underwood. "In Illinois, U.S. Intelligence officials have confirmed that the voter information of 76,000 Illinoisans was accessed by Russians who targeted election systems in all 50 states. In the face of these threats, Congress must remain vigilant to protect the future of our democracy. There is no time to waste."

The SHIELD Act takes critical steps to protect our elections and our democracy:

  • Creates a duty to report illicit offers of campaign assistance from foreign governments and their agents.
  • Helps prevent foreign interference in future elections by improving transparency of online political advertisements.
  • Closes loopholes that allow foreign nationals and foreign governments to spend in U.S. elections.
  • Restricts exchange of campaign information between candidates and foreign governments and their agents.
  • Prohibits deceptive practices about voting procedures.

In Congress, Underwood is working to protect and secure the integrity of U.S. elections in her role as Vice Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security. Last week, Underwood discussed the importance of securing U.S. elections from foreign interference at the House Committee on Homeland Security Congressional field hearing in the 14th District of Illinois. During the hearing, Underwood and members of the Homeland Security Committee examined and discussed what steps the state of Illinois and the federal government are taking to enhance election infrastructure and provide Illinoisans with the resources to report misinformation and disinformation to the appropriate law enforcement officials. Additionally, Underwood is a member of the Task Force Sentry, a bipartisan group of freshman lawmakers who are working to develop solutions and to protect the U.S. political system from attack by foreign adversaries.

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