Letter to the Editor: McConnell shouldn’t hold bill hostage just to help Trump save face
OPINION — Mitch McConnell does not have the right to hold a bill from vote just because it’s a waste of time if the president won’t sign it.
One of four things can happen when a bill is passed by both the House and Senate and is sent to the president:
- The president may take no action. If Congress is in session, the bill automatically becomes law after ten days.
- A pocket veto occurs when the president takes no action and Congress has adjourned its session. In this case, the bill dies and does not become a law.
- The president may decide that the bill is unwise or unnecessary and veto the bill.
- The president may sign the bill, and the bill becomes law.
McConnell is covering for the president because if it gets vetoed (3) the president looks like a cruel and uncaring ass. If the president ignores it (1), Congress is still in session and it becomes law after 10 days. If the president signs (4) it then he looks like a pompous fool for going back on his campaign promise. McConnell’s strategy may be No. 2.
But, the question still remains, does he have the right to not put a legitimate bill up for vote? Isn’t that suppressing the rights of U.S. citizens from having a voice in their government by not allowing their elected representatives in the Senate from voting?
Our government is in the shape it is in because we have people in Congress for 15, 25 and 35-plus years. It has come down to a contest of party and power, not what is best for this country or the people in it. This is not what we were supposed to be.
It is time we demand term limits. A solution would be to have one six-year term for the president, senators and congress(wo)men. Once the stumping and election are over, those going to D.C. can concentrate on the job they were elected to do.
They will not be distracted by having to campaign while in office. They will have time to read the bills they are presented with and concentrate on the best choices and needs of their constituency. This will also cut back the power of people who stay in office too long.
Now, I’m sure McConnell will object to this idea because he’ll say the voting booth is where term limits are. How true can that be when we have gerrymandering of districts, voters being denied their right to vote and people being taken off voter lists?
Martin Niemöller wrote:
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out — because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me.
Can you see the writing on the wall?
Force McConnell to do his job and let the chips fall where they may.
Submitted by ALICE LOEFFLER, St. George.
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