Ranking Members Padilla, Morelle Blast Trump Administration for Slashing Critical Funding for Election Security and Administration

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, and Representative Joe Morelle (N.Y.-25), Ranking Member of the Committee on House Administration, issued the following joint statement after President Trump released his disastrous budget proposal that guts funding for election security and administration: “The President’s budget plan fails to provide the critical funding we need for election infrastructure, security, and administration. Election infrastructure is critical infrastructure and refusing to provide the necessary resources to support our free, fair, and secure elections is nothing short of a dereliction of duty. “Every state will feel the cuts, but smaller, rural, and lower-resourced elections offices would be disproportionately hurt. To make matters worse, these cuts are in addition to the Administration’s previous actions to terminate staff and programs to counter election misinformation and disinformation and defend against foreign interference in our elections. “Election administrators and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure every eligible American can cast their ballot and make their voice heard. They deserve better. We will continue to support them and fight to protect our American democracy.” ###