Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has decided not to allow Senator-elect Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania to attend Senate orientation in the upcoming week. This decision comes despite the Associated Press projecting McCormick as the winner of the Pennsylvania Senate race. Schumer's spokesperson stated that with over 100,000 ballots still to be counted in Pennsylvania, the race has not been officially decided, and the winner will be invited once the votes are fully tallied.
Several Republican senators have criticized Schumer for not inviting McCormick to orientation, with some calling the move outrageous and a disservice to Pennsylvania and the country. The Pennsylvania Senate race was called by the AP on November 7, with McCormick currently leading his incumbent opponent by more than 30,000 votes.
On the other hand, Casey's campaign has not provided immediate comment on McCormick not being invited to orientation. Critics have raised doubts about Casey's ability to make up the vote difference with the remaining outstanding ballots, with a Pennsylvania Republican strategist stating that the votes for Casey to win are not there.
Schumer's office also mentioned that Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., has not been invited to orientation either, as the Arizona Senate race is still ongoing and has not been called. Additionally, it was noted that in 2008, Sen. Al Franken did not attend orientation due to the close nature of his election, although Franken's victory margin was much narrower compared to McCormick's lead in Pennsylvania.
Outgoing Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., who occasionally goes against the Democrat caucus, referred to McCormick as the senator-elect on Sunday, expressing his belief that the Senate will be gaining a good man in McCormick. The situation continues to unfold as the remaining ballots in Pennsylvania are being counted.
