Urgency means “importance requiring swift action” — unless you’re Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, apparently. The Kentucky Republican is facing some well-deserved backlash over his decision to send senators home for the weekend as the House sought to cement its coronavirus response bill to provide relief for families amid the pandemic. Some elected officials, including Donald Trump, don’t seem to be taking the outbreak seriously enough with the country in a panic.
McConnell tweeted a statement Sunday night from his iPhone to announce that passing a coronavirus relief package is one of his “urgent priorities” for the Senate this week.
My statement on the urgent priorities before the Senate this week and beyond: pic.twitter.com/vUiiqrqEdZ
— Leader McConnell (@senatemajldr) March 16, 2020
McConnell was absent from negotiations on the coronavirus relief package and spent Friday in Kentucky at a judicial event with Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, according to the Washington Post.
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The backlash was swift.
It was remarkably irresponsible and out of touch for Sen. McConnell to send senators out of town in the middle of a public health crisis before the House passed this vital people-focused legislation.
Sen. McConnell and Republicans should pass this legislation as is immediately. pic.twitter.com/092h17ZiDT
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) March 14, 2020
Oh cool, you’re back from your three day weekend? There’s like a 1000 more cases than when you left. https://t.co/Uaxhmn6klC
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) March 16, 2020
Pass the damn election security bills, too, you traitor.
Everyone support @AmyMcGrathKY and get this treasonous turtle out of the senate.
In all his years there, he’s never once been caught doing anything that’s for the good of the people.
— Khashoggi’s Ghost (@UROCKlive1) March 16, 2020
I’m pretty sure you don’t understand the meaning of urgent since the House voted for this on Friday and it’s now Sunday night
— Christine Galea (@chrisgalea) March 16, 2020
You took a three day weekend WHILE A DEADLY PANDEMIC SPREAD ACROSS THE NATION.
RESIGN you useless traitor
— Andrew Wortman (@AmoneyResists) March 16, 2020
McConnell has reportedly resorted to encouraging senior judges to consider retiring so that he can fill more seats before Republicans lose the White House, Senate, or both. That is what McConnell prioritizes over Americans’ lives.
Featured image via screen capture
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