[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 185 (Wednesday, November 8, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S5407]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                               Elections

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, another election night in America, 
another win for women's choice, another win for democracy, another win 
for the Democratic agenda of jobs, infrastructure, and lowering costs 
for the middle class.
  Another terrible defeat for the MAGA agenda. Americans don't want 
hard-right extremists to govern this country. At stake last night was a 
woman's right to choose in Ohio, the Governorship in Kentucky, cannabis 
reform in Ohio, control of the legislature in Virginia, State Supreme 
Court seats, and so much more.
  In almost every major election, Democratic candidates and Democratic 
issues prevailed. This continued and strengthened the trend of 
Democratic victories last year. There is no possible takeaway from last 
night other than this: Americans fiercely oppose MAGA extremism, 
fiercely oppose total abortion bans, and want bipartisan leaders who 
can put America's needs first.
  After last night's results, I have a message to my Republican 
colleagues: When the MAGA agenda can't win in deep red Kentucky or in 
Ohio or help you in Virginia, it is time to recognize MAGA extremism is 
the wrong answer, not just for the country, but even for the GOP.
  I hope Republicans in Congress see that after last night, extremism 
must be rejected and bipartisanship embraced. Time will tell if House 
Republicans choose the right path.
  I want to say one more thing about the results in Ohio. With strong 
support, the people of Ohio have voted to legalize the recreational use 
of marijuana. Americans think it is long past time to enact cannabis 
reform. So here in the Senate, I will continue to work with colleagues 
on both sides and my good friend Senator Brown to keep moving on 
bipartisan cannabis legislation as soon as we can.
  Last night shows just how precious and vital and sacrosanct our 
system of elections is. It shows how much work we have to do to 
preserve democracy so that it can survive in the 21st century.