Senator McConnell’s refusal to consider legislation that the President will not sign is a dereliction of duty and a betrayal of Congress’ role under the Constitution.
Our democracy is justifiably famous for its then-novel system of checks and balances. The three branches of government check each other. Simply put, the executive checks the legislative through its veto power. The legislative checks the executive through its power to override a presidential veto. And the courts have the power to overturn executive or legislative action if it is either unconstitutional or if it doesn’t conform to the authority under which it was taken.
But we now have a Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, who has stated very bluntly that he will not put any measure before the Senate that the President will not sign. So much for the legislative check on the President by overriding his veto. It is the President who now calls the tune.
This is no small matter. It goes to one of the most basic aspects of our system of government. If the Senator insists on maintaining this kowtowing to the President, then he should be removed from his office of majority leader.
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