LANSING, Mich. – Representatives and Senators have big agendas and the last election is on the minds of many politicians.
The Michigan Capitol Building opened for the first time Wednesday. Democratic members of the Senate decried the deadly siege on the U.S. Capitol Building that left five dead.
The House took the Oath of Office as a group. It was the most substantive business conducted, as the first day is typically ceremonial, but that doesn’t mean the leadership is hesitant to steer legislative directions.
Newly ensconsed House Speaker Jason Wentworth said working to restore trust in politicians starts with adjusting the Lame Duck Sessions.
“I’m proposing a house floor legislation that says any bill considered after the November election in an even numbered year needs a two-thirds vote to pass,” Wentworth said. “This would create more transparency and help us make sure that anything that passes in lame duck has strong bipartisan support.”
In the Senate, where four-year terms don’t require a swearing in, they gave a couple dozen Bills’ first readings, but when they start pulling levers for actual votes, the business will start with a deep dive into November’s General Election.
READ: The must-read deep dive into Michigan’s 2020 election, erroneous voter fraud claims
“What did we learn from this most recent election?” asked Majority Leader Mike Shirkey. “The new reality of early and mail-in voting has caused us to have to review all of our laws related to elections.”
READ: Fact-checking 5 claims about mail-in voting
Shirkey said he’s not giving a timeline beyond it taking most of the year.
“And our primary goal is not to change the outcome, for heaven’s sake, but it is to prove to people that they can trust elections going forward and we’re going to be very deliberate,” Shirkey said.
Another House Bill proposed prohibits legislators from voting on a bill that would personally enrich them or their families.
Michigan senator calls for ban of all weapons at state Capitol
The FBI warned law enforcement agencies of possible armed protests at state capitols of all 50 states next week.
Additionally, Michigan’s State Capitol Commission voted to ban open carry of firearms at the Capitol on Monday.
Concealed carry guns are still allowed.