Jackson Purchase News

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for her stance on the filibuster, describing it as "disqualifying." Speaking on the Senate floor, McConnell addressed Harris's recent comments about eliminating the filibuster to pass significant legislative measures such as a Green New Deal and Roe v. Wade protections.

McConnell stated, "'I am prepared to get rid of the filibuster to pass a Green New Deal.' 'I think we should eliminate the filibuster for Roe.' These are the words of the Vice President of the United States and the Democratic nominee for President."

He argued that Harris’s willingness to dismantle Senate traditions is not isolated, noting that most Democrats supported similar actions two years ago but were blocked by two members of their own party. He claimed this reflects a broader trend within the Democratic Party: "From a sitting President all the way down to grassroots activists, Democrats have made smashing institutions a core pillar of their party’s platform."

McConnell emphasized that changing these long-standing rules could have lasting consequences: “There is nothing normal or rational about blowing up the dam holding back simple majority rule. And the fact that a major political party has welcomed this short-sighted radicalism into mainstream will be to their eternal shame.”

He warned that removing these safeguards would make it easier for any future majority to push through legislation without opposition: “A Senate that can steamroll a legislative minority to codify Roe v. Wade or enshrine the lunacy of the Green New Deal into law…is a Senate that will drive a stake through liberal hopes as soon as political winds change.”

Additionally, McConnell linked Harris's record with various national issues, asserting she will be accountable for ongoing problems if elected: “In November, the Democratic nominee will own the worst border crisis in American history, and broken policies that invited it. She will own worst inflation in forty years and reckless spending and tie-breaking votes enabled it.”

Concluding his remarks, McConnell expressed confidence in voters' priorities: “The American people may well worry like I do about future of an institution designed to be world’s greatest deliberative body. But more than that they worry about keeping families safe and putting food on table. And I expect they’ll vote accordingly.”

###