On the same day that former U.S. special counsel Robert Mueller publicly testified that Russia is actively taking measures to interfere with America’s 2020 elections, Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., blocked the passage of three bills designed to boost the security of elections or the federal government.
Yesterday, the senator rejected two separate bills (1, 2), introduced respectively by Sens. Mark Warner, D-Va., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., that would have required campaigns to notify the FBI and the Federal Election Commission if a foreign actor offers assistance or attempts to interfere in electoral matters.
She also blocked another bill introduced by Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Tom Cotton, R-Ark., that would authorize the Senate Sergeant at Arms to voluntarily provide senators and their staff members with assistance in securing their personal accounts and devices.
In all three cases, the Democratic senator who drafted the bill sought to expedite the passing of his legislation via unanimous consent, whereby the bill immediately passes the chamber, but only if no senator objects.
Gloss