Top Dem Slams Spending Bill That Leaves Election Security Behind in Appropriations Markup

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Joe Morelle (NY-25), the top Democrat on the Committee on House Administration, criticized the lack of sufficient election security funding in the Fiscal Year 2026 Financial Services and General Government bill during the House Appropriations Committee markup. 

Key excerpts from Rep. Morelle’s prepared remarks are below. Click here to watch the full remarks. 

I could continue with general observations about the bill, but as Ranking Member of the Committee on House Administration, I’d like to spend a few minutes talking about the importance of funding for our elections.

 Voting is the foundation of our democracy. It’s our responsibility to see that every eligible American can cast their ballot—and that every vote is counted.

But the fulfillment of the promise of a vibrant democracy requires people to participate and exercise the franchise to vote. House Democrats have tirelessly worked to protect that franchise and we will continue to press the issue.

My colleagues on the other side of the aisle, along with the President, often claim to care about election security. Yet once again, I’m deeply disappointed by the majority’s refusal to treat funding for our elections with the seriousness it demands.

Over and over again, I hear from state and local election officials across the country, those doing the work on the ground, that one of the most significant needs in election administration is robust and consistent funding.

I recall making these exact same points in previous years where this committee attempted to zero out funding for election security grants. Thankfully, those bills were unable to even pass the House floor.

With that context, I suppose I should be pleased that $15 million for election security grants is included in this bill.

But Mr. Chairman, including just $15 million is a mere drop in the ocean compared to what is required to support our state and local election officials, particularly in this environment of increased threats and intimidation.

These public servants are on the front lines of upholding our democracy; ensuring our elections remain accessible, accurate, and transparent; and seeing to it that every eligible American has equitable access to the ballot and that their ballot is counted.

Colleagues, I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out there is no mention of the President’s authority to unilaterally eliminate mail-in voting by executive order, contrary to the President’s unhinged rants on Truth Social.

Such a proposal is unconstitutional, unlawful, and unserious, and House Democrats are going to vigorously oppose it every step of the way.

During a time when the President is attempting to distract or cheat his way through the next election, it’s crucial for Congress to both do its job and give state and local election officials the resources they need to do their job. 

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The Committee on House Administration’s jurisdiction includes federal elections, House operations, Capitol Complex security, the Smithsonian Institution, and Legislative Branch agencies such as the Library of Congress and Government Publishing Office.