McConnell slams Election Day holiday proposal as 'power grab' by Democrats

[UpInArms]

Last edited Thu Jan 31, 2019, 01:10 AM - Edit history (1)

Source: Marketwatch

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is ripping the idea of giving federal workers a paid holiday on Election Day, saying it’s part of a “power grab” by the Democrats who are proposing it.

Speaking on the Senate floor Wednesday, the Kentucky Republican attacked a provision in Democrats’ anti-corruption package that would set the new holiday for government employees, and encourage private businesses to do the same.

The same package would allow federal employees six days off to work at polling places.

“Just what America needs,” McConnell said facetiously, “a bunch of government workers being paid to go out and work for I assume...our colleagues on the other side, on their campaigns.”

Democrats made the bill, known as House Resolution 1, their first of the year in an attempt to set the agenda after retaking the House of Representatives in the midterm elections. Yet House Republicans are almost certain to oppose most if not all of the legislation, and McConnell has previously said he will not bring it to the Senate floor for a vote. A House vote hasn’t been scheduled yet.

Read more: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/mcconnell-slams-election-day-holiday-proposal-as-power-grab-by-democrats-2019-01-30

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Of course, allowing people to vote is a “power grab” ...

What a douche

[guillaumeb]

1. Democrats want citizens to vote.

Republicans want conservative white citizens to vote.

[cstanleytech]

7. Correction it should be

"Republicans only want conservative white citizens to be allowed to vote."

[guillaumeb]

28. True. eom

[lagomorph777]

13. McConnell doesn't want citizens grabbing power back from him.

He's been so busy grabbing power, he thinks he fucking owns us.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Here's your link. You probably forgot it in an attempt to get away from the picture of Mitch!

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/mcconnell-slams-election-day-holiday-proposal-as-power-grab-by-democrats-2019-01-30

Thanks for the article, UpInArms. Mitch most surely is a douche.

[UpInArms]

20. Thanks, Judy Lynn

His face does make me shriek in horror

[BootinUp]

3. Sure Mitch. Nt

[flibbitygiblets]

4. Well, Bitch, if your party weren't full of crooks and traitors

Maybe people would vote for you.

[GP6971]

5. The real power grab here is Moscow Mitch

by not bringing to the Senate floor legislation passed by the House.

[dubyadiprecession]

6. Mitch's leadership skills are in doubt.

McConnell stuck with trump through a 35 day government shutdown. The shutdown worked against them, it wasn't a shrewd political move. They built a wall of public scorn.

There won't be anymore government shutdowns while either Trump or McConnell are in office.

That you can take to the bank.

[BlueWI]

8. Gotta win the Senate majority and the presidency.

Have this bill and a pile of others ready to pass and sign.

[Doodley]

9. He admits Republicans are benefiting from Democrats who must disproportionately work on election day

[TexasBushwhacker]

10. Who in their right mind would object to making it EASIER to vote?

And that smug grin on his face. While I suspect he won't run again in 2020, he'll be 78, I would LOVE for someone to kick his ass at the polls.

[Rebl2]

12. Old white

Republicans object.

[Rebl2]

11. Don't see how

it’s a power grab Mitch. Republicans will be allowed to vote too.

[groundloop]

14. If by 'power grab' McTurtle meant that the majority of those workers would vote Democratic...

then yes, it was a power grab. McTurtle and his fellow repubs only hope of holding onto power is to suppress voting by working class Americans. They've been doing a masterful job at this by limiting early voting, pushing voter ID laws by promoting the false notion that people for some reason want to vote who aren't eligible, gerrymandering voting districts, and packing the courts with right wingers.

[Baltimike]

15. bb..but I thought Dems don't have jobs and just mooch off the gov't 24/7

so making election day a holiday should help the REAL working people to have their voices heard.

[FakeNoose]

16. They're smarter in Germany

They always schedule election days on a Sunday. Almost everybody is off work because no malls or retails stores are open on Sundays.

[DFW]

17. At least he is finally admitting it outright

The more people are allowed to exercise their right to vote, the less Republicans there are that will get elected.

[Aussie105]

18. I get it.

Republicans want to make sure voting isn't easy.
I mean, working 2 jobs, standing in line to vote, why should you bother?

Democrats want to make it easier to vote. Very threatening to Republicans. Just shows the Repug mind set.

It's not a 'power play'. It's trying to make Democracy Work for Everybody, Mitch.

Just pull your head in, McTurtle.

Could just run the election voting thing on a weekend, really. Like a lot of other countries do. Why do Republicans find Democracy so threatening, and difficult?

Keep the polling stations open from 6 am to midnight, and put on food for those who are in line when they could be at home for their evening meal. Watch the voter turnout then!

I'm in Australia. Voting is compulsory and on a Saturday. Sausage sizzle and smiles supplied free. How easy is that?

[flibbitygiblets]

19. Samater, you no like people grabbing things that start with a P?

[W T F]

21. Actually a power grab the American People, which is the way it's supposed work

[WhiteHat]

22. Gosh, Mitch

"...and work for I assume...our colleagues on the other side, on their campaigns..."

If you're so worried about truly honest, truly Democratic competition, maybe you should reconsider your lifelong opposition to truly American positions.

[C Moon]

23. Mitch McPutin

[rickyhall]

24. Definitely scared of The Majority

[Turbineguy]

25. He's right.

People voting is a scary idea for Turtle McFucklips.

[samnsara]

26. we vote all mail in so we dont even have an election day..no polls to go to!

[TechNerd]

27. Why let people vote when cheating is easier

From the Party that brought you:

*Purging Voter roles
*Eliminating polling places in heavily Democratic precincts
*"Poll watchers" to intimidate minorities
*Insane gerrymandering to insure that one party gains advantage despite losing the popular vote
*Voter ID laws and then making the facilities to obtain them inordinately distant for minority communities

[Jimbo S]

29. Is this bill really necessary?

Does one really need a day off to vote? Who pays for this? No one is advocating voter suppression.