Republicans see Dem drive to rig system, secure one-party rule, despite promises of bipartisanship

Republicans are describing the Democratic Party's agenda as an attempt to, in effect, lock in one-party rule in the U.S. government — a far cry from President Joe Biden's promises of a new spirit of bipartisanship in Washington.

Democratic leaders in the 117th Congress have Washington D.C. statehood, federal election reform, Puerto Rican statehood, a path to U.S. citizenship for illegal immigrants and more on their agenda.

There has been a record surge of migrants arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border after the Biden administration unilaterally, through executive orders, changed many border enforcement and immigration policies implemented under the Trump administration. Illegal border crossings are also on the rise. Shortly after he was inaugurated, Biden released his own immigration reform plan that would provide a path to citizenship for all illegal immigrants living in the U.S. 

“Democrats are doing whatever they can to force their socialist agenda on the American people," National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) spokesman Michael McAdams told Just the News. "They’re trying to overturn a state-certified congressional election in Iowa, they passed corrupt legislation that funnels $7.2 million in public money to their campaigns, and they’re trying to rewrite the Constitution to solidify their power." 

McAdams was referring to H.R. 1, the For the People Act, which Democrats passed in the House and want to pass in the Senate. Under the legislation, Super PACs would be required to publicly disclose their donors, and the bill would "match small donations (up to $200) to participating congressional candidates at a 6-1 ratio."

The bill creates a nonpartisan redistricting commission, and it requires automatic voter registration with an opt-out provision for individuals. The legislation also makes Election Day a holiday for federal employees and prohibits states from placing any restrictions on a voter's ability to cast mail-in ballots. Prior to the pandemic, voters in many states needed to provide an excuse to obtain an absentee ballot.

Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, chair of the House Republican Conference, said Democrats in Congress have abandoned bipartisanship, pointing to their unilateral passage of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, a COVID-19 stimulus bill, using budget reconciliation to avoid needing votes from Republicans. Democrats are considering using the same strategy for a massive $2 trillion infrastructure plan that could also include climate change and health care provisions.

The legislation might also include a Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) tax system that would charge drivers based on the amount of miles they drive as one of the funding mechanisms for the proposal.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has referred to the Democrats' agenda, specifically H.R. 1, as a "power grab." He recently said the legislation is an attempt to win elections in perpetuity. 

"They want to change the system to benefit themselves and they want to have instead of a referee they want the FEC to be a prosecutor," McConnell said on Tuesday. "So this is not about anything other than trying to help the Democrats win elections in perpetuity."

“President Biden, Speaker Pelosi, and the Democrats have avoided even the pretense of bipartisan negotiation and are instead ramming their disastrous agenda into law," Cheney told Just the News in a statement. "The consequences for our country will be severe. We know their policies will undermine our security, weaken our economy, and destroy jobs. That’s why we must not only stand up to their bad ideas, but explain to the American people why our conservative vision that empowers people and champions freedom is the best path forward.”