"McConnell called these ideas a power grab, labeling the bill the 'Democratic [Politician] Protection Act,' " Schumer said from the Senate floor. "Leader McConnell, we’re proud we want more people to vote. Why are you ashamed of it? Why do you run away from it?"

Pelosi argued in a tweet that McConnell was declining to bring the bill up for a vote in the Senate "because he is beholden to special interests and out of touch with the American people."

Because he is beholden to special interests and out of touch with the American people. #ForThePeople https://t.co/h5nn4g68RL — Nancy Pelosi (@TeamPelosi) March 7, 2019

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House Democrats are poised to pass the sweeping anti-corruption bill this week, sending the legislation to the GOP-controlled Senate.

Democrats unveiled the legislation on their first day back in control of the House, underscoring its importance to their agenda, though it went weeks without a vote as Congress scrambled to end a partial government shutdown earlier this year.

The House measure aims to expand voting rights through provisions including creating automatic voter registration, increasing election security by pushing back on foreign threats and making Election Day a national holiday for federal workers.