Dems push drastic move that Mike Lee calls ‘a phenomenally bad idea’
Several Senate Democrats are spearheading a movement to amend the Constitution and eliminate the Electoral College in favor of a system where the popular vote determines the winner of the presidential election. Senators Dick Durbin, Brian Schatz, and Peter Welch have introduced a proposed amendment to achieve this change, citing the disenfranchisement of millions of Americans by the current system.
Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, expressed his long-standing belief that it is time to retire the Electoral College, which he described as an outdated invention from the 18th century. He emphasized the importance of empowering voters to choose their leaders without the constraints imposed by the Electoral College. Schatz, a Democrat from Hawaii, echoed Durbin’s sentiments, stating that the person who receives the most votes should emerge victorious in an election, without any bias based on geographical location. Welch, a Democrat from Vermont, highlighted the inadequacies of the current electoral system, emphasizing the need for a more representative and democratic process.
However, not all lawmakers support this proposed amendment. Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah criticized the initiative, labeling it as “a phenomenally bad idea” pushed by Democrats. Representative Andy Biggs, a Republican from Arizona, accused Senate Democrats of attempting to trample on the Constitution with their proposal.
The debate over the Electoral College resurfaced following President-elect Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election, where he secured both the Electoral College and popular vote. Trump’s win reignited discussions about the flaws of the Electoral College, particularly in instances where the winner of the popular vote does not align with the Electoral College outcome.
One of the most notable examples of this discrepancy occurred in the 2016 election, where Hillary Clinton won the national popular vote but lost the Electoral College to Trump. This disparity has fueled calls for reforming the electoral system to ensure that the popular vote accurately reflects the will of the American people.
As the push to abolish the Electoral College gains momentum, the political landscape continues to evolve, with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle engaging in heated debates over the future of the presidential election process. The proposed amendment represents a significant step towards reshaping the electoral system and fostering a more inclusive and democratic voting process for all Americans.
