Election security hearing breaks along stark partisan lines

A congressional hearing on election security is breaking along stark political lines, highlighting the difficulties in getting lawmakers to address the threat.

The divide is on display Tuesday at a House Judiciary Committee hearing that comes as federal officials warn that Russia and others are looking to interfere in 2020 elections.

Democrats largely confined their questioning to the ambitions and capabilities of Russia and other adversaries and pressed federal officials about how prepared they were for any potential problems.

But multiple Republican lawmakers brought up Peter Strzok (struhk), the FBI agent fired last year for derogatory text messages about President Donald Trump that he sent while helping lead the Russia investigation.

The hearing featured testimony of witnesses from agencies including the FBI, Justice Department and Homeland Security Department.