Democrats’ dilemma: How to get Jan. 6 recommendations through Congress
by Mike Lillis - 10/03/22 6:00 AM ET
House Democratic leaders will face heavy political pressure — and a tight time crunch — to vote this year on election reform recommendations soon to arrive from lawmakers investigating last year’s attack on the U.S. Capitol.
The Jan. 6 select committee is charged with proposing improvements to the nation’s election system in an effort to reinforce the peaceful transfer of power, which came under threat by a pro-Trump mob after his 2020 defeat. The recommendations are expected to arrive after the Nov. 8 midterm elections, as part of the panel’s final report on its findings.
That will leave Democratic leaders with a short window to draft legislation, rally support and send the reforms to the Senate — all in a lame-duck session when they’ll also face a crucial deadline to extend federal funding and prevent a government shutdown.
Complicating their task, the House is widely expected to change hands next year, shifting all the legislative decisions to Republican leaders who, in defense of former President Trump, have condemned the select committee from its inception and are certain to ignore any recommendations the panel proposes.
As Congress left Washington last week for the long election recess, the combination of factors was already stirring a sense of urgency from rank-and-file Democrats, who want their leaders to prioritize the panel’s recommendations at year’s end, before they’re buried by a potential GOP takeover.
“I don’t know what their thought process is. But whatever it is, we actually need to get it done,” said Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.). “Because if the House flips, which I don’t think it will, but if it does, Kevin McCarthy’s not going to do anything to protect this country.”
The House is scheduled to be in session for 17 days during the lame-duck period, now scheduled to end on Dec. 15. The year-end calendar is notoriously fluid, as leaders are frequently forced to keep lawmakers in Washington to finalize must-pass legislation. This year, the must-pass bill is a nascent package to extend government funding, which would otherwise expire at the end of Dec. 16.
Some Democrats said the lame-duck window allows plenty of time to consider the select committee election proposals — and even win the Senate support needed to enact them into law.
“We have two months. What? Is there anything more important than making sure we defend our democracy?” said Rep. David Cicilline (D-Calif.). “We have no option, in my view, other than to act swiftly as soon as those recommendations are reported. We have to get this done before we adjourn.”
Others voiced heavy doubts that Senate Democrats could find enough Republican support to overcome a GOP filibuster.
more
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3669531-democrats-dilemma-how-to-get-jan-6-recommendations-through-congress/
