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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDoes Mitch McConnell know he's part of the first branch of government?
Does Mitch McConnell know hes part of the first branch of government?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/01/04/does-mitch-mcconnell-know-hes-part-first-branch-government/?utm_source=reddit.com&utm_term=.76d19c3d69e0
"SNIP.....
That is a politician fully aware of and ready to use her power. Contrast that with the pathetic passivity of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who presides over what was once called the worlds greatest deliberative body. Not anymore. CNN reports:
Well, its not complicated. I was in this role when [Barack] Obama was President, and [Vice President Joe] Biden and I did deals because they needed some of our votes. So, now the role is reversed and ultimately the solution to this is a deal between the President and Nancy and Chuck because we need some of Chucks votes and obviously we need Nancys support," he said, referring to newly installed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat.
So, I havent been sidelined, McConnell added. Its just that theres no particular role for me when you have this setup.
Gosh, he could vote on the very same bill that passed the Senate by voice vote and just like that! reopen the federal government. A self-respecting Senate majority leader previously would not declare his own impotence, nor turn over the job of legislating to the White House. Pelosi is right: Congress is a coequal branch and its job is to fund the government. You have to wonder why Republicans want the Senate majority if they are nothing more than supplicants to the president and bystanders in governance.
.....SNIP"
McTurtle is going to slow walk legislation because let's face it: the GOP is against problems being solved or good governance.
RockRaven
(15,096 posts)He does it without even thinking, asleep or awake.
applegrove
(118,925 posts)happy underneath when he takes something away from the people. This time it is governance. Tomorrow it will be Medicare or social security.
bitterross
(4,066 posts)McConnell knew the fix was in for Trump back when he held off on the Merrick Garland nomination. At the time he did that it was common knowledge, by all accounts, Hillary would win. Right up to election day it was clear Hillary would win.
McConnell would not sign off on the Obama admin going public with FACTS about the Russian interference.
McConnell is NEVER going to be part of the solution. He will always be standing in the way of any solution in order to protect his own ass.
Hermit-The-Prog
(33,563 posts)The GOP has been trying to dismantle all of the federal government except the military for decades. McConnell is stepping aside because Trump is accomplishing that goal. That both of them stand to gain from Putin is just icing on their cake.
RainCaster
(10,962 posts)Yep
GitRDun
(1,846 posts)My recollection is Harry Reid failed to take up Republican legislation that passed the House many times.
I absolutely despise McConnell but I think what he is doing with regard to not bringing up Democratic House legislation is standard operating procedure in the Senate.
applegrove
(118,925 posts)to the emasculation of the GOP. Trump has the GOP base. They'll just wait it out and do nothing so either the base blames Trump or the democrats when there is no wall.