Schumer Expresses Skepticism to McConnell’s Openness to Discussing Changes to Election Law

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) expressed skepticism to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s openness to discussing changes to predetermination instrumentality arsenic Democrats enactment to beforehand important voting rights authorities successful the Senate.

“I deliberation this is simply a fake. I deliberation it’s a mode to effort and get the 2 senators that we person who are not connected committee to spell for thing that won’t alteration the horrible, voracious alteration successful the equilibrium of powerfulness that volition let elections to slam things successful the directions of Republicans successful a melodramatic way, successful an unfair way, successful an un- — tiny “D” — antiauthoritarian way,” Schumer said.

McConnell has said that it is “worth discussing” changes to the Electoral Count Act, a determination galore Republicans person supported. Democrats person said that simply changing the 1887 instrumentality is insufficient and that the absorption should beryllium connected broader predetermination reform.

“That is not a substitute for the protections that are included successful the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement act. That is wherefore our absorption is connected those,” said White House property secretary Jen Psaki, adding that that the Electoral Count Act “is not a replacement, it is not a substitute, and our absorption remains connected those 2 pieces of legislation.”

Schumer has made wide that the Senate would “consider changes to immoderate rules which forestall america from debating and reaching last decision connected important legislation,” including voting rights legislation, reigniting debates connected whether oregon not to abolish the filibuster.

“I would inquire you to see this question,” he wrote in a missive to his colleagues. “If the close to ballot is the cornerstone of our democracy, past however tin we successful bully conscience let for a concern successful which the Republican Party tin statement and walk elector suppression laws astatine the authorities level with lone a elemental bulk vote, but not let the United States Senate to bash the same?”

Schumer plans to unit a rules alteration by January 17 if Republicans artifact the For the People Act and Freedom to Vote Act.