Senator warns CISA election security pullback could leave midterms vulnerable

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., participates in the From Capital to Capability: Rebuilding U.S. Industrial Strength panel during The Hill & Valley Forum 2026 at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on March 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. Paul Morigi/Getty Images for The Hill & Valley Forum

Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner, D-Va., is demanding answers from the Department of Homeland Security over what he says is a sharp decline in federal election security support ahead of the 2026 midterms, warning that cuts to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency could leave states more exposed to cyber threats and foreign interference.

In a letter sent Wednesday to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Warner said state and local officials have reported that CISA is no longer providing the same level of election security training, intelligence sharing and cybersecurity assistance it offered in prior election cycles.

The letter adds to growing criticism ...