While President Trump is promising to launch an investigation into his belief that millions of illegal ballots were cast in 2016, the Republican-led House Administration Committee voted Tuesday to shut down the federal agency set up to help states improve their election systems. Rep. Gregg Harper, R-Miss., chairman of the House Administration Committee, said the Election Assistance Commission has “outlived” his usefulness. … “This is the time when we should be focusing on strengthening” the EAC, said Pennsylvania Rep. Robert Brady, the top Democrat on the committee. Brady argued the EAC helps states run fair, accurate and efficient elections. He said the agency provided key support to states in the last election.
… Voting rights advocates urged committee members to reject Harper’s bill. “At a time when the vast majority of our country’s voting machines are outdated and in need of replacement, and after an election in which international criminals already attempted to hack our state voter registration systems, eliminating the EAC would pose a risky and irresponsible threat to our election infrastructure,” the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law wrote in a letter to the House panel.
Lloyd Leonard, director of advocacy for the League of Women Voters, said he was disappointed with the committee vote.
“It’s really an attempt to sweep the problems under the rug,” said Leonard, noting worries such as long lines, potential Russian interference and outdated voting machines. “This legislation is poorly thought out and really won’t accomplish any positive purpose.”
Full Article: House panel votes to close Election Assistance Commission.