[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 183 (Saturday, October 24, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S6442]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                  Unanimous Consent Request--H.R. 2722

  Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Madam President, as more important as that health for 
veterans is, equally so is assistance for our election system. We are 
going through an election right now. Even as we consider this nominee, 
tens of millions of Americans are voting. The threat to our election 
security is well-known. We face not only foreign interference but also 
domestic threats, as has been documented.
  I have been through those absolutely chilling briefings in a 
classified setting; we are sworn to secrecy. But the malign foreign 
interference makes 2016, in my impression, look like child's play from 
Russia, Iran, the Chinese.
  In order to proceed to the consideration of H.R. 2722, Securing 
American Federal Elections Act, a bill that would, in fact, make 
critical investments to upgrade our voting systems to protect against 
foreign interference in our elections and democracy by requiring all 
voting systems to produce a verifiable paper ballot and by authorizing 
funding for States to bolster election security--what could be more 
urgent and important at this moment in our history?
  It was passed by the House of Representatives on June 27, 2019--
again, more than a year ago. No action here.
  I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to legislative 
session.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  The Senator from North Dakota.
  Mr. CRAMER. Madam President, reserving the right to object.
  The only interference going on here is by Senate Democrats trying to 
interfere in our discussion about an outstanding nominee to the Supreme 
Court of the United States, Judge Amy Coney Barrett. For that reason, I 
object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  The Senator from Connecticut.