McCarthy slams Democrats on funding for mail-in balloting

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthyKevin Owen McCarthyPeters criticizes Trump for not taking action after cyberattacks on hospitals, COVID-19 researchers McConnell, Pelosi hunt for funding deal as shutdown deadline looms The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by the UAE Embassy in Washington, DC - Trump, Biden clash over transition holdup, pandemic plans MORE (R-Calif.) on Thursday slammed calls to include funding for mail-in voting in the next coronavirus relief bill, arguing Democrats are attempting to use the pandemic for their political benefit. 

Voters in Wisconsin this week went to the polls in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, and Democrats have argued the federal government should fund mail-in balloting to ensure people can vote safely.

But Republicans, including President TrumpDonald John TrumpBen Carson says he's 'out of the woods' after being 'extremely sick' with COVID-19 Biden will receive @POTUS Twitter account on Jan. 20 even if Trump doesn't concede, company says Trump to participate in virtual G-20 summit amid coronavirus surge MORE, have criticized the idea, arguing it is an attempt to federalize elections and that Democrats are just trying to increase their votes.

“The idea that you are willing to take the coronavirus that cripples on killing thousands of Americans, that's putting 17 million people out work, in a moment in time to be requesting money to make that happen, and you're talking about an election in November. I think you're thinking about the wrong items, I think you're concerned about the wrong thing,” McCarthy told reporters on a call on Thursday. 

McCarthy also argued shifting to mail-in voting presents an increased risk for voter fraud and that states are better equipped to handle their election proceedings. 

The California Republican’s comments came shortly after Democrats in the upper chamber blocked Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellBiden decides on pick for secretary of State OVERNIGHT ENERGY: House Democrats push Biden to pick Haaland as next Interior secretary | Trump administration proposal takes aim at bank pledges to avoid fossil fuel financing | Wasserman Schultz pitches climate plan in race to chair Appropriations Key McConnell ally: Biden should get access to transition resources MORE’s (R-Ky.) attempt to pass a bill aimed at providing an additional $251 billion for small business loans by unanimous consent.

McCarthy argued Democrats should prioritize passing legislation to keep the economy afloat, adding that he has urged Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiOn The Money: Democrats accuse Mnuchin of sabotaging economy in dispute with Fed | Trump administration proposal takes aim at bank pledges to avoid fossil fuel financing | JPMorgan: Economy will shrink in first quarter due to COVID-19 spike Pelosi defends election results: 'It was a great victory' The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Capital One - Pfizer, BioNTech apply for vaccine authorization MORE (D-Calif.) not to push for the changes in upcoming relief bills.

Pelosi pushed back on McCarthy’s accusations, telling reporters that “we have a different value system to what voting means to a democracy and clearly we want to remove all obstacles to participation."