Congressman Steven Horsford Votes to Protect American Democracy and Elections with SHIELD Act

Washington, D.C. — On Wednesday, Congressman Steven Horsford voted to pass H.R. 4617, the Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for A Lasting Democracy or SHIELD Act. This comprehensive legislation will strengthen the resilience of the United States' democracy and protect against foreign interference in America's elections, including by foreign governments.

"I have a solemn duty in Congress to protect the integrity of our elections and ensure that our democracy is not open to interference from any outside influence. In 2016 and 2018, Russia directly interfered in our elections. That can never happen again. When Nevadans go to the polls, they should be confident that their votes are secure," Congressman Steven Horsford said. "With the 2020 elections fast approaching, there is no time to waste in protecting American votes—that's why today I'm proud to vote for the SHIELD Act to ensure that foreign interference doesn't happen again in 2020 and beyond."

The SHIELD Act protects our elections from foreign interference by:

• Creating a duty to report illicit offers of campaign assistance from foreign governments and their agents.
• Improving the transparency of online political advertisements.
• Closing loopholes that allow foreign nationals and foreign governments to spend in U.S. elections.
• Restricting the exchange of campaign information between candidates and foreign governments and their agents.
• Prohibiting deceptive practices about voting procedures.

The SHIELD Act is supported by numerous organizations, including Common Cause, the Brennan Center for Justice, People for the American Way, Democracy 21, NAACP, Public Citizen, End Citizens United Action Fund, Franciscan Action Network, and Network Lobby for Catholic Social Justice.