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DPCC Report: Mitch McConnell’s Legislative Graveyard By The Numbers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, today released a report demonstrating how Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has turned the Senate into a legislative graveyard.

"The American people expect the Senate to do its job and take action to make their lives better," said Senator Stabenow. "Instead of protecting health care, combatting climate change, or securing our elections, Mitch McConnell has turned the Senate into a legislative graveyard."

"The self-proclaimed 'Grim Reaper' has turned the Senate into a legislative graveyard for the American people's priorities," said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). "Leader McConnell has buried bill and bill after bill, to protect our elections from foreign interference, shield survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, meaningfully address the climate crisis, protect Americans living with pre-existing conditions, and combat the epidemic of gun violence. Leader McConnell must stop blocking these bipartisan efforts that will help working Americans and allow the Senate to work for the people."

According to the report, under McConnell's leadership, the Senate has only been in working session for 97 days as of July 30, 2019. Of those days, only 37 have been spent voting on legislation.

The report also shows that the House of Representatives has voted on more than 400 pieces of legislation and amendments this Congress, more than seven times the amount the Senate has voted on.

Some of the bills passed by the House that McConnell has refused to bring up in the Senate include:

  • The Bipartisan Background Checks Act (passed the House 153 days ago)
  • Paycheck Fairness Act (passed the House 125 days ago)
  • Violence Against Women Reauthorization (passed the House 117 days ago)
  • Climate Action Now Act (passed the House 89 days ago)
  • Protecting Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions Act (passed the House 82 days ago)
  • Securing America's Federal Elections Act (passed the use 33 days ago)