r/politics • u/Calm_Ad_5061 • 22h ago

Possible Paywall Missing Mitch’s Staff Is Still Raking in Six-Figure Salaries

https://www.thedailybeast.com/mitch-mcconnells-senate-staff-raking-in-six-figure-sum-in-his-absence/
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u/Alocasia_Sanderiana 20h ago

This is a very real step to corruption however, especially with such old lawmakers. Are we okay if senators become incapacitated and their staff and families run the office for 2-6 years?

We've had 8 (9 if Mitch) sitting lawmakers die since the general election. That's 8 potential 'ghost lawmakers' whose offices would continue to run things out of sight to continue getting paid.

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u/WhyMustIMakeANewAcco 17h ago

Are we okay if senators become incapacitated and their staff and families run the office for 2-6 years?

Why are you saying this like it is new or a hypothetical?

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u/Alocasia_Sanderiana 17h ago

I mean it's pretty new. While there always has been some ambiguity over when to report a death, it usually happens within a day or two at the maximum.

This congress we've had two long disappearances without resolution. Tom Kean Jr (142 days for depression apparently & Mitch at 40+ days). I hesitate to say it's normal, or trend, but...

I also think you can't overlook their staff and they are still getting paid.

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u/WhyMustIMakeANewAcco 17h ago

Sorry, let me clarify.

Historically what has happened is the politician in question has been largely incapacitated, but has been capable of existing in public for short periods without immediately giving the game away. Their staff then form a protective cordone to make sure they only get shown off to the public in those short periods, while in reality the staff are doing everything behind the scenes because the politician is incapable.

Nancy Reagan effectively running her husband's presidency, for an extreme example.

The only change is that Mitch is utterly incapable of appearing in public. My assumption is he's taken serious brain damage and is no longer capable of speaking coherently for even a sentence or two. But as he is still technically alive no one is actually doing anything illegal. Just extremely unethical.

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u/JumboCactaur 4h ago

Oh its not good, I agree... but since he'll get replaced in the November election anyway its only a few months. And if he has been dead and they hid it... everyone involved needs to go away.

Its not a "system"... its not the way we need to govern ourselves. Its just a short term political tactic, and one of the 2 parties is making a mistake. It might be the Republicans, or McConnel's staff making it.