Bipartisan Election Security Provision Co-authored by Senator Collins Signed into Law

Defense bill includes provision authored by Senator Collins to protect elections from cyberattacks.

WASHINGTON, D.C - Bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Mark Warner (D-VA) to strengthen the security of U.S. election infrastructure was included in the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and signed into law.

In May, Senator Collins joined Senator Warner in introducing the Strengthening Election Cybersecurity to Uphold Respect for Elections through Independent Testing (SECURE IT) Act. A provision of this legislation directing the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to require that election systems seeking certification undergo penetration testing was included in the annual defense bill and is now law. This penetration testing will allow researchers to search for vulnerabilities by attempting to attack a system with the same tools and techniques used by cybercriminals, thus better protecting our election systems from legitimate attacks.

"We must take every precaution to prevent interference in our elections. This bipartisan legislation will strengthen the integrity of our election process by ensuring that voting systems are safe and secure, and help protect and bolster public confidence in our elections." said Senator Collins.

Several other provisions and amendments authored or co-authored by Senator Collins were included in the final NDAA that passed the Senate last week:

• Berry Amendment-Compliant Footwear Report.
• • Amendment filed by Senator Collins will require the Department of Defense to submit a report on the U.S. boot industrial base and a plan to achieve full Berry Amendment compliance for combat footwear.

• Public Shipyard Apprentice Program.
• • Amendment filed by Senator Collins will strengthen the skilled trades pipeline at public shipyards like Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

• Counter Act.
• • Cosponsored by Senator Collins, provisions from this bill will expand the Department of Defense's authority to defend its facilities from illegal drone activity.

The NDAA also includes several provisions Senator Collins strongly advocated for that will benefit Maine:

• Support for U.S. Troops.
• • Authorizes a 3.8 percent pay raise for all service members-including the thousands of Maine men and women serving in uniform.
  • Includes reforms to streamline and modernize defense procurement to ensure our military is better equipped and supplied.
  • Directs a study on behavioral and mental health staffing shortfalls at military medical treatment facilities to improve access to care for service members and their families.

• Support for Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
  • $227.8 million for power reliability and water resilience upgrades.
  • $220.8 million for the Multi-Mission Drydock #1 extension.

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