washington bipartisan pair u.s. senators plan introduce legislation tuesday seek boost cyber defenses state election systems warn senior u.s. officials future elections may vulnerable foreign interference secure america vote equipment save act late attempt lawmakers respond u.s. intelligence agencies say multi-pronged cyber operation include hack online propaganda russia 2016 presidential election aim help president donald trump moscow repeatedly deny accusations bill introduce democratic senator martin heinrich republican senator susan collins heinrich spokeswoman say currently co-sponsors set strong protections election systems take necessary step prevent future foreign influence campaign nation democratic institutions remain vulnerable heinrich say statement save act would authorize director national intelligence dni grant security clearance top election official state addition one designee would also allow dni share classify information state threats vote systems several state election officials complain leave dark russia attempt probe vote systems 2016 campaign department homeland security dhs notify 21 state say target russian last month part due confidentiality classification restrictions dhs january designate vote systems critical part nation infrastructure make state elections eligible federal protections legislation would write designation law also create grant program state upgrade systems good fend physical cyber threats clear whether bill would gain momentum otherwise gridlocked congress senators introduce bill boost cyber defenses vote systems