(TheRedAlertNews.com) – Speaking to reporters in the Capitol on Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell revealed, seemingly admitting the system could need reform, he would consider changing the process of certifying presidential elections.
In response to questions about changing the way Congress certifies the presidential election, the Kentucky Republican said it was worth discussing.
Following last year’s Capitol riot, both the GOP and Democrats have considered changing legislation that enables lawmakers to object to presidential election results.
On January 6th, 2021, the House and Senate assembled to certify the victory of President Joe Biden under the Electoral Count Act.
On the day, eight Republicans in the Senate and 139 in the House objected to Biden’s victory in either Arizona or Pennsylvania, which delayed the certification process. At that time, rioters stormed the Capitol, interrupting the process and causing lawmakers to seek safety.
Following the January 6th objections and riot, Democrats have accused the GOP of inflaming the rioters and attempting to overturn the election, which has spurred their calls for reform to legislation that dictates the powers the House and Senate have in certifying results from the presidential election.
Recently, The Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, called for Republicans to support changes to the Electoral Count Act, remarking that the law “is a mess of ambiguities and contradictions” which exceed the House and Senate’s constitutional powers, enabling “Congress to effectively decide the results of an election” adding that the Framers had rejected this premise at the Constitutional Convention.
The Electoral Count Act is vague about the vice president’s role in the electoral count, which at the time meant former Vice President Mike Pence could contest Biden’s victory had he followed through with Trump’s request.
Although McConnell hadn’t revealed any particular legislation, his comments suggest that a bipartisan agreement could be possible in the run-up to the 2024 presidential elections.
As it stands, Republicans –– including McConnell –– object to efforts by Senate Democrats to pass a bill that would change elections and reverse voter integrity laws in GOP states. Something the Democrats are attempting to overcome by voting on eliminating the filibuster.
Copyright 2022
