FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Republican lawmakers in Kentucky on Friday removed the Democratic governor from any role filling future U.S. Senate vacancies — a move supporters said was unrelated to recent scrutiny about the health of the state’s senior senator, Republican leader Mitch McConnell.
The GOP supermajority Legislature easily overrode Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto of the measure. The legislation calls for a special election to fill any Senate vacancy from the Bluegrass State. The special election winner would hold the seat for the remainder of the unexpired term.
“The people should decide who a United States senator is by election always,” House Majority Floor Leader Steven Rudy, a Republican and the bill’s lead sponsor, said during a brief House debate Friday.
The Senate succession bill moved through the Legislature at a time of pending transition for the 82-year-old McConnell. In February, the venerable Kentucky senator announced he will step down from his longtime Senate leadership position in November.
Insider Q&A: Avelo Airlines CEO Andrew Levy describes the challenges of starting a new carrier
Democrats clear path to bring proposed repeal of Arizona’s near
Capitals top prospect Ryan Leonard is returning to Boston College
US reimposes oil sanctions on Venezuela ahead of election
Spanish city of Barcelona celebrates day of books and love
Air National Guard changes in Alaska could affect national security, civilian rescues, staffers say
Tip leads to arrest in cold case killing of off
A bomb attack in northern Kenya kills 5 people near the border with Somalia
Judges orders Pennsylvania agency to produce inspection records related to chocolate plant blast
A third of foreign students seeking to stay in the UK are at just SIX institutions, figures show
Uber is helping investigators look into account that sent driver to Ohio home where she was killed