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The House Republicans sitting in the US Congress appear to want to avoid addressing election security! Why? They don’t think they can win fairly? They want someone to manipulate the vote so that they win? Whose payroll are they on? Are they on Putin’s payroll?

A Republican from Texas, Michael McCaul, who is supposed to be Committee Chairman for US Homeland Security, decided not to hold a promised hearing on election security back in March. Now Republican Speaker Ryan has scheduled a briefing with little warning.

“Thompson to Speaker Ryan: Election Security Briefing Insufficient
May 15, 2018 Press Release
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Co-Chair of the Congressional Task Force on Election Security, released the following statement on news that Speaker Ryan has announced an election security briefing for members of Congress:

“Unfortunately, due to it being in an unclassified setting, it is not possible for this last minute briefing scheduled by House Republicans on election security to be able to go into the detail necessary to properly educate members of Congress on The Trump Administration’s efforts – or lack thereof – to secure our election systems from foreign interference.  House Republicans have treated election security as a third rung issue for over a year, it is time for them to finally take this national security issue seriously.  The next federal election is less than six months away.”
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Issues: Election Security”
https://democrats-homeland.house.gov/news/press-releases/thompson-speaker-ryan-election-security-briefing-insufficient

“Thompson Demands Election Security Hearings After Homeland Security Chairman Backtracks
Mar 21, 2018 Press Release
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement after receiving written notice from Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) that he will not convene a hearing dedicated to election security as he indicated publicly on March 7th.  While promising to work with Democrats on this issue as soon as possible, Chairman McCaul said: “I look forward to working with you to conducting a full hearing on this issue as it not only impacted—was a real event in the last presidential election–but I believe it will be a real event in the midterm 2018 elections.” Today, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee that our elections are “clearly potential targets for Russian hacking attempts.”

“I am extremely disappointed that Chairman McCaul has already backtracked on his public promise to hold a much-needed hearing on election security and the ongoing Russia cyber threat.  This also comes after repeated overtures last year to work together on this issue. Alas, we have made no progress.  To be clear, we first began hearing of Russia’s interference in our elections almost two years ago.”

“Chairman McCaul often reiterates his opposition to Russia, but actions speak louder than words.  Like Speaker Ryan and his fellow House Chairmen, he is ensuring the House stays true in its partisanship and seems too willing to do President Trump’s bidding.  Homeland security used to be a bipartisan issue, but it seems this is no longer possible when one party refuses to put the country – and its security – first.”

“Holding a focused and comprehensive hearing on election security is not a partisan or complicated request. It speaks volumes that while Chairman McCaul has been dragging his feet on this issue for over a year, the Senate is holding election security hearings today with current and former homeland security officials.  This is all we are asking for.  I call on Chairman McCaul to realize his error and follow through on his promise.”

“If Chairman McCaul believes Russia will interfere in the 2018 elections, as he has stated, we cannot ignore this threat.  Having hearings on election security – while developing solutions and showing the public that we are working together on this issue is a solid first step. The 2018 elections are only seven months away and we must be doing much more to protect them.  If we do nothing, we are just inviting Putin to what he pleases with our democracy and our domestic affairs.”
Link to Letter https://democrats-homeland.house.gov/sites/democrats.homeland.house.gov/files/documents/Mccaulresponse.pdf
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Issues: Cybersecurity, Election Security
https://democrats-homeland.house.gov/news/press-releases/thompson-demands-election-security-hearings-after-homeland-security-chairman

According to the DHS web site “Jeanette Manfra serves as the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) Assistant Secretary for the Office of Cybersecurity and Communications (CS&C). She is the chief cybersecurity official for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and supports its mission of strengthening the security and resilience of the Nation’s critical infrastructure…. Jeanette served in the U.S. Army as a communications specialist and a Military Intelligence Officer….”

According to LinkedIn she was an Associate at Booz Allen Hamilton from September 2007 to September 2010 (3 years 1 month).

In July 2011 Booz Allen Hamilton was hacked: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booz_Allen_Hamilton

Emphasis our own throughout.