Aug 25, 2019 - Politics & Policy

Sanders to McConnell: Have the guts to debate Democratic bills

 Democratic Presidential hopeful US Senator for Vermont Bernie Sanders speaks on-stage during the Democratic National Committee's summer meeting in San Francisco, California on August 23

Sen. Bernie Sanders. Photo: Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in the Republican's home state, Kentucky, Sunday to show "guts" and allow votes on Democratic bills including gun control legislation.

Details: Sanders tweeted that fossil fuel executives should be criminally prosecuted for the destruction they have knowingly caused and pledged to "end the greed of the fossil fuel industry and move to 100% renewable energy" with the Green New Deal.

The big picture: McConnell has said gun control bills and proposed "red flag" laws will be debated when the Senate returns from recess. He has called himself the "grim reaper" during an interview with Fox News for killing what he regards as far-left legislation that has been passed in the Democratic-controlled House.

What they're saying: The Washington Post reports that the Republican National Committee said in a statement, "While President Trump continues to enact prosperous policies and fight for fairer trade deals for the state, Sanders’ agenda would put them out of work and hand them a large tax bill in the process."

Go deeper: Bernie Sanders on the issues, in under 500 words

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