'INFLICT PAIN': GOP rep EXPOSES Schumer’s strategy against Americans

Government Shutdown & Election Integrity: A Discussion with Congressman Mark Harris

Key Concepts:

• Government Shutdown: Temporary cessation of federal government operations due to lack of funding appropriations.
• SAVE America Act: Proposed legislation requiring proof of citizenship and photo identification for voter registration and voting.
• Filibuster: A parliamentary procedure used in the Senate to delay or block a vote on a bill. Specifically, a "talking filibuster" requires senators to continuously speak to maintain the delay.
• DHS Funding: Funding for the Department of Homeland Security, currently impacted by the partial government shutdown.
• ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement): A federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws.

Government Shutdown & DHS Funding

The discussion centers around the ongoing partial government shutdown, specifically impacting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Congressman Mark Harris attributes the shutdown to Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, who he claims are using the American people as leverage in negotiations. He characterizes this as “totally irresponsible and scary,” highlighting the impact on essential personnel like TSA agents, the Coast Guard, FEMA, and the Secret Service.

The core disagreement revolves around DHS funding. Democrats reportedly proposed new constraints on federal immigration officers, a proposal the White House rejected, stating they “will not put the ICE agents at risk.” Congressman Harris emphasizes President Trump’s commitment to protecting these agents and ensuring they can perform their duties.

There is concern that Democrats might attempt to disrupt President Trump’s upcoming State of the Union address, mirroring a similar tactic used in 2019 during his first term. Harris views this as a pattern of creating chaos when Democrats lack a strong message or winning issue.

The SAVE America Act & Election Integrity

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the SAVE America Act, a Republican-backed bill aimed at strengthening election integrity. The Act has two key provisions: requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote and mandating photo identification at the polls. Congressman Harris asserts that these are “common sense” measures, supported by over 80% of Americans. The House has already passed the bill, and it is now before the Senate.

Currently, 60 votes are needed to overcome a filibuster in the Senate. President Trump has urged Senator Thune to eliminate the filibuster and pass the SAVE America Act with a simple majority. Harris supports utilizing a “talking filibuster,” forcing Democrats to publicly defend their opposition to the bill. He believes this will expose their reluctance to support basic election security measures.

The Act also includes a provision allowing the federal government to share information with states regarding individuals illegally registered to vote, enabling states to clean up their voter rolls. Harris specifically mentioned that the DMV in his home state of North Carolina had registered non-citizens to vote, highlighting the need for this provision.

Potential Executive Action & State Authority

The discussion touches on the possibility of President Trump using an executive order to implement the SAVE America Act. While acknowledging the question, Congressman Harris admits he hasn’t considered this possibility. He anticipates potential pushback from states, arguing that elections are traditionally under state purview.

However, he points out the hypocrisy of Democrats who advocate for nationalizing elections when it suits their agenda, while simultaneously invoking states’ rights when opposing measures like the SAVE America Act. He believes the Act will ultimately bolster confidence in federal elections without infringing on states’ control over their own election processes.

Notable Quotes:

• “It’s common sense to say that you need to be an American citizen and proof of citizenship to register to vote and show a photo ID when you vote to prove you are who you say you are.” – Congressman Mark Harris
• “If we don't have a message, we don't have a leader of our party, we don't have a winning issue with the American people, and what we do is create chaos.” – Congressman Mark Harris, describing the Democratic strategy.
• “That’s exactly what they decided to do [create chaos]. Anything that can throw a wrench in the momentum that this administration has had.” – Congressman Mark Harris on the Democrats’ motives.

Logical Connections:

The conversation flows logically from the immediate crisis of the government shutdown to the broader issue of election integrity. The shutdown is presented as a political maneuver by Democrats, while the SAVE America Act is positioned as a necessary response to ensure fair and secure elections. The discussion highlights a perceived pattern of Democratic obstructionism and a commitment from Republicans to prioritize national security and election integrity.

Conclusion:

The interview with Congressman Mark Harris paints a picture of a politically charged environment, with the government shutdown and the debate over election integrity serving as key battlegrounds. The Congressman frames the shutdown as a result of Democratic leverage and emphasizes the importance of securing the border and protecting ICE agents. He strongly advocates for the passage of the SAVE America Act, viewing it as a crucial step towards restoring confidence in the integrity of federal elections. The discussion underscores the deep partisan divisions and the ongoing struggle over control of the narrative surrounding these critical issues.