Democratic lawmakers accused U.S. President Donald Trump and the Senate's leading Republican of working to kill legislation designed to protect the upcoming U.S. presidential election from interference by Russia and others.
They also warned that because of Trump and Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's efforts, time is running out to get improved security measures in place for the 2020 vote.
"It appears that the majority leader, at the behest of the White House, has made it his goal to kill any meaningful legislation," Mark Warner, the vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, told reporters during a news conference Tuesday on Capitol Hill.
"Even this president's top intelligence, law enforcement officials have all indicated that Russia, which successfully intervened in our election in 2016, will be back in force," Warner added. "I do not understand when we have common sense, bipartisan legislation, why we can't bring that to the floor of the Senate and let the Senate vote."
Through aides, McConnell declined to respond directly to the latest allegations. But in remarks earlier this month, he slammed Democrats for using the issue of election security to pursue a partisan agenda. "Many of the proposals labeled by Democrats to be 'election security' measures are indeed election reform measures that are part of the left's wish list," he said. "They ignore the great work this administration has done and sweep under the rug the necessary measures this chamber has passed."
Source : VOA