The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Hearing on Protecting the 2020 Election from Cyber Threats
Record date · January 1, 2020
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
What This Bill Does
The House Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation held a hearing on November 19, 2019, to discuss strategies for defending U.S. election infrastructure against foreign interference and cyberattacks. The session featured testimony from experts in government, academia, and the private sector regarding the security of political campaigns and voting systems.
This hearing established the federal legislative focus on securing 2020 election infrastructure following reports of attacks on state election systems.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
State Election Officials
They are responsible for managing election infrastructure and responding to cyber threats like ransomware.
Private Sector Cybersecurity Firms
They provide technology and expertise to protect political campaigns and election systems.
Key Facts
- The hearing was held on November 19, 2019, to address election security ahead of the 2020 election cycle.
- Chairman Cedric L. Richmond confirmed a recent ransomware attack occurred in Louisiana during the certification of a state election.
- The subcommittee examined the role of the private sector in protecting election infrastructure.
- Witnesses included representatives from the U.S. Air Force (retired), the U.S. State Department (former), Georgetown University, and Microsoft.
Show all 5 facts
- The hearing record includes follow-up questions submitted by Chairman Richmond to the four witnesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of this hearing?
Did the hearing address specific recent cyberattacks?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceFull breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Pre-Election Vulnerability
The hearing highlights that cyberattacks on election infrastructure can occur during the sensitive certification phase of an election.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.govinfo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance80How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment20Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools