Mitch McConnell Laughs When Confronted On Senate Inaction Over Coronavirus
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is coming under fire on social media for laughing during an exchange over coronavirus relief during a debate Monday with Democratic rival Amy McGrath.
McGrath challenged McConnell over his decision to allow a Senate recess in the spring rather than continue work on new relief measures for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed more than 214,000 Americans.
“The House passed a bill in May and the Senate went on vacation,” McGrath said as McConnell laughed. “You just don’t do that. You negotiate. Senator, it is a national crisis.”
Kelsie Taggart of the progressive PAC American Bridge shared the clip on Twitter:
Mitch McConnell LAUGHS when called out for his lack of action on COVID. #KYSen
"If you want to call yourself a leader you got to get things done." pic.twitter.com/dHbXDf28OQ— Kelsie Taggart (@kelsientaggart) October 12, 2020
McGrath was referring to the House passage of a nearly $3 trillion relief bill in May, which GOP lawmakers in the Senate dismissed as “dead on arrival,” then McConnell adjourned for a week for Memorial Day.
“We’re facing a national crisis,” she wrote after the debate on Twitter. “There’s nothing funny about 214,000 Americans dying.”
McConnell said the Senate had been negotiating with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) but insisted she “has been totally unreasonable and not interested in getting an outcome.”
He also said that senators remained in contact via phone.
Taggert noted that it wasn’t the only time McConnell chuckled his way through the issue:
FIVE times, @senatemajldr LAUGHED OFF questions regarding COVID during tonight's #KYSen Debate.
It's obvious that Mitch McConnell isn't taking this election, COVID, or KY voters seriously. pic.twitter.com/pnaTR78yWi— Kelsie Taggart (@kelsientaggart) October 13, 2020
“Sen. McConnell built a Senate that is so dysfunctional and so partisan that even in the middle of a national crisis he can’t get it done,” McGrath said. “For that reason alone he should be voted out of office.”
Critics called out McConnell for laughing during the debate over the public health crisis:
👇👇👇👇👇👇 https://t.co/42nBE77F59
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) October 13, 2020
Wow ... how do Kentuckians keep re-electing someone who drips with so much contempt for them, for their lives and health, and for the elections process? I truly don't get it, Kentucky. Is this your king?? https://t.co/wX9Reh6He9
— Joy JUST VOTE & MASK UP!! Reid 😷) (@JoyAnnReid) October 13, 2020
ditch mitch #25thAmendmentNow #BidenHarris2020 #amymcgrath https://t.co/vwzE5Y2BD0
— ROSIE (@Rosie) October 13, 2020
I’m just going to leave this right here. #TheyKnew pic.twitter.com/5GwAUgPKkM
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) October 13, 2020
Hey Kentucky, your Senators should have a basic understanding of laughter at the very least. If a person laughs like a broken 1940’s antique possessed doll, there is probably something wrong. https://t.co/sU3d37cBNf
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) October 13, 2020
McConnell’s gleeful laugh when McGrath talks about his failures on COVID is...something pic.twitter.com/axoFqqGG8D
— Don Moynihan (@donmoyn) October 13, 2020
COVID deaths: 215,000+
Mitch McConnell laughs.
Our Get Mitch fund is sprinting for @GaryPeters. This is the most important Senate race for you to support right now: https://t.co/jzjeW5Kxyhpic.twitter.com/BBiEjia7Ry— Vote Save America (@votesaveamerica) October 13, 2020
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This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.