Friend,

Overview (an 8-second scan):

• Russia interfered in our election -- and they're planning to do it again
• Sen. Mitch McConnell agreed to just 41% of necessary election security funding
• I support a package that ensures our elections remain free from foreign interference
• Will you show your support for free and fair elections today?

Read my full story (a 1-minute 22-second read):

In his testimony to Congress in July, Special Counsel Robert Mueller said something that should give us all pause:

"Over the course of my career, I have seen a number of challenges to our democracy. The Russian government's effort to interfere in our election is among the most serious."

No matter what your perspective on potential obstruction of justice by this president and his administration in the course of the investigation into him, one thing is clear and not up for debate: Russia interfered in our election, they're planning to do it again, and they're not alone.

In response to that clear and present danger, the House passed the Securing America's Federal Elections (SAFE) Act back in June, which authorized $600 million in federal funds to help states make their voting systems more secure ahead of the 2020 election. After stonewalling for weeks, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell finally agreed to just $250 million.

Even if we are able to reach agreement on that funding, there is much more work to be done. That's why, last week, I introduced a bill to ban foreign entities from advertising online to influence an election. That bill will be part of a much broader election security package which is critical to ensuring a fair election free from foreign influence next year.

Included in that package are provisions to:

• Enhance our election security infrastructure and require paper ballots in federal elections
• Prohibit an election official from seeking foreign assistance in a domestic election
• Require reporting of any offer of foreign campaign assistance
• Improve our ability to monitor and respond to foreign disinformation campaigns

There is no reason why this package should be held up. Protecting our democracy is not a partisan issue -- it's what we all swore an oath to do. I will be very disappointed if the Majority Leader in the Senate does not allow it to come to a vote -- and we should demand that it does.

Our campaign was about repairing our politics and restoring people's faith in government. That is still my mission in Washington, D.C. -- and protecting our democracy from all threats, both foreign and domestic, is critical to that. There's no question that efforts are already underway to interfere with and influence the outcome of the next election.

The only question is: what are we going to do about it?

If you agree -- if ensuring the integrity of our elections is important to you -- I hope you'll consider making a contribution today.

- Dean