Who Will Guard Election Integrity If GOP Takes Down the EAC?

The post Who Will Guard Election Integrity If GOP Takes Down the EAC? appeared first on WhoWhatWhy.

With the outrage of progressives largely focused on big-ticket items — such as the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, the gutting of the Environmental Protection Agency and GOP attempts to reduce funding for public schools — other equally alarming proposals have slipped under the radar. A case in point: the proposed elimination of the federal agency tasked with ensuring a secure and smooth election process.

A House committee vote last month caused a momentary outcry, but it was short-lived as other issues quickly seized the headlines. Unlike many things on the GOP wishlist, however, shutting down the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) might actually happen.

“It is my firm belief that the EAC has outlived its usefulness and purpose,” said Rep. Gregg Harper (R-MS), chairman of the Committee on House Administration, who is the driving force behind this effort.

A Democratic congressional aide, who asked not to be named, strongly rejected that claim.

“If Mr. Harper spent more time talking to election officials, he would find that it hasn’t outlived it’s usefulness,” the aide told WhoWhatWhy.