re: Why the sudden emphasis on election integrity?

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McConnell defends blocking election security bill, rejects criticism he is aiding Russia

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday defended his decision to block an election security bill and lashed out at critics who suggested he was helping Russia, accusing them of engaging in “modern-day McCarthyism” to “smear” his record.

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The House-passed bill would authorize more than $600 million for updating voting equipment to comply with new standards between now and 2020, including requirements that voting machines produce a paper record, stay disconnected from the Internet and be produced in the United States.

One Republican, Rep. Brian Mast (Fla.), joined Democrats in backing the measure last month.

Republicans, including McConnell, have opposed the bill because it imposes federal standards on an issue traditionally handled by the states.

“I’m not going to let Democrats and their water carriers in the media use Russia’s attack on our democracy as a Trojan horse for partisan wish list items that would not actually make our elections any safer,” McConnell said. “I’m not going to do that.”

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