WASHINGTON – Warning that the threat of foreign meddling in elections remains, Sens. Marco Rubio and Chris Van Hollen today introduced legislation outlining "severe consequences" for those actors, including Russia.

"We know Russia manipulated social media channels and hacked political campaign committees and local elections boards to undermine our democratic process in 2016," reads a release from the lawmakers.

"We expect the threat will grow in future years – and we must do everything possible to prevent these attacks. The DETER Act uses key national security tools to dissuade hostile foreign powers from meddling in our elections by ensuring that they know well in advance that the costs will outweigh the benefits."

Under the Defending Elections from Threats by Establishing Redlines Act, the Director of National Intelligence must report to Congress one month after every federal election whether any foreign government has interfered.

If Russia was involved, economic sanctions would kick in and Russian officials and oligarchs will be blacklisted from entering the United States and will have their assets blocked.

The bill also calls for a government plan to deal with China, Iran, and North Korea "as our other major foreign government cyber threats."

"We cannot be a country where foreign intelligence agencies attempt to influence our political process without consequences," said Rubio. "This bill will help to ensure the integrity of our electoral process by using key national security tools to dissuade foreign powers from meddling in our elections."

Said Van Hollen: "Protecting the integrity of our elections is an issue that knows no party. And with the midterm elections less than a year away, we have no time to waste. The DETER ACT sends an unequivocal message to Russia and any other foreign actor who may follow its example: if you attack us, the consequences will be severe."