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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E265-E266]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FOR THE PEOPLE ACT OF 2019
______
speech of
HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON
of texas
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of
the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1) to expand
Americans' access to the ballot box, reduce the influence of
big money in politics, and strengthen ethics rules for public
servants, and for other purposes:
Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chair, H.R. 1, the ``For the People Act of
2019'' addresses many significant challenges to our democratic
institutions and the conduct of federal elections. The very foundation
of our democracy depends on ensuring that our elections are fair,
accurate, and freely accessible to all American citizens. We have
witnessed in the last few years the roll back of voting rights to
[[Page E266]]
a time I had truly hoped would remain in the past. We must continue to
be vigilant against anything that would impede the right to vote. We
must also protect our democratic institutions for the people, and not
just for a few wealthy interests.
The U.S. election system is complex and highly decentralized,
encompassing approximately 10,000 local, county, and state election
offices. States and local jurisdictions face a number of challenges in
their administration of federal elections, including outdated and
insecure technology. Most of us are on screens all day long and have
become accustomed to the convenience. There are probably some young
people that don't like to read on paper at all. However, when it comes
to electronic voting systems, these same conveniences may be subject to
technical malfunctions as well as significant cybersecurity risks that
have already been shown, in real elections, to undermine Americans'
constitutional right to vote.
The last major voting legislation was passed almost two decades ago.
It created several new responsibilities for the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST) to work with the Election Assistance
Commission, election administrators, and manufacturers on voting
systems technology standards development. The Science Committee was
active in the development of that language.
Today's bill, H.R. 1, makes an effort at expanding NIST's role in
voting and elections technology. While I support H.R. 1 overall, I do
have some concerns with the proposed new scope of activities for NIST.
NIST's core mission is measurement science and standards. Most people
have never heard of NIST and don't understand what it does, but NIST
plays a central and unique role in advancing U.S. competitiveness as
well as in cybersecurity across the public and private sector. The
agency has no regulatory authority, which allows it to win the trust of
and work closely with industry and all kinds of stakeholders in the
standards development process. The Science Committee has worked very
hard to preserve this standards development function of NIST. NIST
expressed concern to us that some of the language in this bill may
compromise the agency's ability to work closely with states and
counties on elections technology. In addition, while other provisions
in the bill are better aligned with NIST's mission and worthy of
support, we must ensure there is additional funding for NIST to
accomplish these important goals. As this bill moves through the
legislative process, I look forward to working with my colleagues in
the House and Senate to address both of these issues.
Election and voting integrity and security are important to everyone
in this Chamber on both sides of the aisle, and my colleagues on the
Science Committee are eager to present legislative ideas for the role
of NIST in voting and elections technology, as well as recommendations
for sufficient levels of support to ensure the agency can succeed in
this mission.
Mr. Chair, I support H.R. 1 and urge its passage.
____________________
