US senators urge political courage

Washington, June 28 (IANS) Republican Senator Todd Young and Democratic Senator Mark Kelly called on American politicians to show greater political courage and put the national interest ahead of partisan politics, while offering contrasting views on President Donald Trump’s leadership.

The two senators made the remarks during a joint interview on ABC’s This Week, where they discussed political polarisation, bipartisan cooperation and the challenges of governing in an increasingly divided America.

Kelly said elected officials must sometimes take positions that could damage their own political careers.

“You have to take stands that you know are the right thing for the nation that moves us forward in a positive way, but could be politically harmful to you and your career,” the Arizona Democrat said. “That’s hard for some folks.”

Young, an Indiana Republican and former Marine, said political courage often meant accepting criticism from one’s own supporters.

“It’s the courage to be misunderstood by people you respect and love and whose values you share on difficult issues,” Young said. “It’s courage to do unpopular things.”

The discussion turned to Trump’s recent accusation that Kelly’s comments about military personnel amounted to sedition.

Young revealed that he contacted Kelly privately after the episode.

“My first reaction was to text Mark and engage in a dialogue that very morning,” Young said, adding that lawmakers had to balance public criticism with the need to continue working together on legislation.

Kelly acknowledged the difficult position faced by Republicans serving under Trump.

“We’re all adults. We understand the complexities of our own individual politics,” he said.

“It’s really not… I’d say in this situation, it’s easier to be in the minority. To be in the majority and the leader of your party is, fair to say, very unconventional about how he approaches this job. It is very complicated for them.”

Young defended the President’s use of his political influence while stressing that lawmakers still had an independent responsibility to act in the national interest.

“He has more loyal political followers than I’ve ever encountered in political life,” Young said.

“But that in no way absolves myself or any of my colleagues, Republican or Democrat, from the agency we have. We still need to sacrifice when we feel like the common good can be advanced through personal sacrifice.”

The senators also differed over the state of American politics as the country prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary next week.

Kelly argued that the country remained deeply divided.

“We have a President who looks for every opportunity, not as an opportunity to bring the country together, but to further divide us,” he said.

Young placed greater responsibility on voters.

“The reason we’re so divided right now and the reason we have a government that we’re unhappy with is that the American people have elected the current crop of senators, of congressmen, of the President,” he said.

“If they have challenges with the way we’re being led, then put people in office that can do a better job.”

–IANS

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