Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah has found himself in the public crosshairs again. This time after his "extreme" criticism of HR.1 - the "For the People" voting bill designed to secure voting rights and access for all Americans.
The bill would essentially catch the US up to the way voting is done in other developed nations by implementing automatic voting registration, expanding mail-in voting and restore voting rights to some felons, among other things.
The GOP is not a fan of the bill, but Republican Senator Michael Shumway Lee is more passionate and outspoken about it than many. He went on FOX news to discuss the bill and ended up dropping a sound bite people described as extreme and ridiculous.
He claimed the bill encouraging voting is "rotten to the core. This is a bill as if written in Hell by the devil himself."
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) on H.R. 1, For the People Act, which makes it easier for everyone to register and vote: "Ever… https://t.co/Q4Vak1mpmi— The Recount (@The Recount) 1615382290.0
That quote was read during the Morning Joe broadcast on MSNBC.
It made the panel erupt with laughter.
The interaction started with Mika Brzezinski reading the quote. She made it through without laughing, which is more than we can say for co-host Joe Scarborough.
There was a lot of this face, though.
MSNBC
Scarborough passed the floor to White House correspondent Jonathan Lemire with this lead in:
"So, Jonathan, they're saying that Satan drafted—Mike Lee is saying Satan drafted a bill that's meant to get more Americans involved in democracy."
To which Lemire dead-pan responded:
"That's an unlikely move for Lucifer."
Lemire did go on to speak more seriously to the current GOP tone and Mike Lee's criticisms, but it was this moment of laughter that really resonated with people.
The Morning Joe panelists weren't the only ones laughing or cringing at Lee.
Sure looking forward to seeing what @SenMikeLee had to do with the insurrection. Speaking of Hell. https://t.co/A34Go2i5AO— Robert holgate (@Robert holgate) 1615408919.0
yes, what could be more satanic than a bill that *squints* makes it easier to vote https://t.co/9fTHQx3bb9— Public Citizen (@Public Citizen) 1615394381.0
@QuintForgey @SenMikeLee Good to know Mike is still on speaking terms with Lucifer.— Mrs Olson Says (@Mrs Olson Says) 1615380332.0
@SenMikeLee HR 1 makes it much easier for Americans to register & vote, you know, what a democracy is suppose to do… https://t.co/SwgCAYnQzU— P Schumacher (@P Schumacher) 1615411442.0
Regarding the For the People Act, @SenMikeLee said, "This is a bill as if written in hell by the Devil himself." Wh… https://t.co/tpDbshDgZK— KatieDidIt (@KatieDidIt) 1615394827.0
@bonofiededge @SenMikeLee mike lee believes lucifer prince of darkness satan himself actually wants voting to be easy i know oprah— Jazz Fans Against Racism (@Jazz Fans Against Racism) 1615402032.0
@QuintForgey @SenMikeLee You know it’s a good bill if these bullets are the best Fox News can come up with to try t… https://t.co/WmZEcQ2JkY— Joey Georgia Blue (@Joey Georgia Blue) 1615382710.0
@Morning_Joe Mike Lee stating on the senate floor that HR one was written by Lucifer is proof that the devil is in fact White.— TRUMPELSTILTSKEN® (@TRUMPELSTILTSKEN®) 1615384140.0
@SenMikeLee it's no wonder everyone's laughing look at their laughing at https://t.co/4H77GXBM29— 32 Years Military 25 Years Gov. (@32 Years Military 25 Years Gov.) 1615388731.0
On Mike Lee saying HR1 was written by the devil, “That’s an unlikely move for Lucifer” Thanks for having me tears… https://t.co/lGPlgAkmbL— Ken Templin (@Ken Templin) 1615381192.0
Only Lee can explain why he thinks Satan is pro-voting rights for all United States citizens regardless of race, religion, national origin or socioeconomic status.
And only the GOP can explain why they're so against that.