On the recordJune 13, 2019
I would like to articulate the reason for the objection to the legislation from the Senator from Virginia. Let me begin by saying that we are all for free and fair and honest elections. I know the Senator from Virginia spent some time as Governor of Virginia. He knows that in 2016, no ballots--no ballots--no one's vote was encumbered or affected. He knows that I have served on an election commission, and I know that the Senator from Virginia appreciates that our county election commissions and our State election commissions are in charge of securing those elections. I have to state to the Presiding Officer that I know that in the great State of Tennessee, our county election commissions and our State election commission and our secretary of state are very focused on making certain that these elections are fair and honest elections. They are going to do that for all elections--local, State, and, of course, in the 2020 Presidential election. I think a little bit of context is always helpful. First of all, let me say this: I welcome my colleagues across the aisle to the understanding that bad actors have tried for decades--decades--to influence what is going on in our government and in our country. Indeed, I remember, as a child in 4-H Club--and I think that probably the Presiding Officer was a member of 4-H Club growing up--to me, as a young girl in South Mississippi, the 4-H Club was a wonderful experience. It opened a lot of doors to me.…
