This election year, we have a chance to change Congress—and that change starts with replacing Mitch McConnell with a fresh, new, dynamic woman who will fight for America's families. That's why I went to Kentucky this past weekend, campaigning with Alison Lundergan Grimes.
For me, this is personal. Just a couple weeks ago, Mitch McConnell blocked a bill I had introduced to let people refinance their student loans. This was just one way to help millions of people getting crushed by the burden of student loan debt, and once again Mitch McConnell's answer was no.
In fact, he led the charge to stop the bill in its tracks. Why? Because he didn't want to close tax loopholes for millionaires and billionaires to pay for it.
After 30 years of gridlock and obstruction, Mitch McConnell doesn't get it. The job of a U.S. Senator isn't to fight for wealthy corporations and billionaires, it's to stand up for people who work hard, play by the rules, and just want a fair shot to succeed.
McConnell might not get it, but Alison sure does. That's why I'm supporting her campaign, and why I hope Daily Kos readers do the same and help Allison reach her critical end of quarter fundraising goal.
Alison and I don't agree on every issue, but we do agree that a U.S. Senator should invest in our future and put the needs of students and working families ahead of the wishes of billionaires and giant corporations. Alison is tough, she's smart, and she's built an army of grassroots supporters to help her hold Mitch McConnell accountable in the long fight ahead.
Earlier this year, I wrote a book called A Fighting Chance about the battles I've taken on in Washington and about how Washington works – and so often doesn't. Make no mistake: the system is rigged against the interests of working families and toward the interests of those with money and power – those who can hire armies of lobbyists and lawyers in Washington to look for exceptions and loopholes at every turn.
So many of our efforts are uphill, but I've learned time and again that if you don't fight, you can't win. That means recognizing that elections have consequences, and it also means making sure that bad votes in favor of billionaires over kids just trying to carve out a future have consequences too. That's why I went to Kentucky, and that's why I hope you'll join me in taking some time to support Alison Lundergan Grimes and to do our best to hold Mitch McConnell accountable.