Out-of-Touch: House GOP Leadership Supports Electoral College Bill Despite Negative Feedback

The Senate Republicans are moving to change the way the Electoral College works here in Pennsylvania, essentially stripping the commonwealth of its swing state status in presidential races.  Perhaps not so coincidentally, the state has gone Democratic in every presidential election since 1988.

After its unveiling, the measure received a cold reception from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, including several House Democrats.

Representatives Mike Gerber and Josh Shapiro came out criticizing the bill, saying that because administrations have historically spent discretionary money in swing states, the Senate bill could cost Pennsylvanians hundreds of millions of dollars.  Shapiro was also quoted as saying that he believes that this “blatant partisan effort” would undermine Pennsylvania’s role in electing a President. Representative Gerald Mullery came out calling the initiative “an attempted power grab” by Republicans.

House Democrats aren’t the only ones who oppose the changes, however.  Poll results released last week showed that 52 percent of Pennsylvanians prefer the winner-take-all system over the Senate proposal.

Despite last week’s poll results and criticisms by fellow Republicans, Republican House Speaker, Sam Smith, and House Republican Leader, Mike Turzai, expressed their support for the measure, showing just how out of touch the House GOP leaders are with Pennsylvanians.