Senator Markey Slams Republicans for Blocking Resolution to Reaffirm States’ Authority to Run Federal Elections

WATCH: Markey delivers fiery floor speech denouncing Trump's threats to nationalize elections

Washington (February 11, 2026) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today asked unanimous consent to pass a resolution denouncing recent statements by President Donald Trump that he may "nationalize," commandeer, or otherwise assume direct control over state-run elections. Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) objected, blocking the resolution from passing.

Below are excerpts from Senator Markey's remarks.

"I rise today because, once again, the sitting President of the United States has threatened something antithetical to our democracy. Something patently unconstitutional and unlawful. Something that should give every single American pause. Donald Trump has now suggested that he might "nationalize" our elections. Trump has suggested that the federal executive branch should take over elections-which, under our Constitution, belong to the states. Let me be clear: this is not a policy disagreement. This is not a gray area. This is not a novel constitutional question. This is flatly, outright, unquestionably unconstitutional.

"Donald Trump's dangerous threat rests on a familiar and thoroughly discredited premise: that American elections are rigged, fraudulent, or illegitimate. That claim has been examined exhaustively-and rejected everywhere it has been tested. State election officials-Republicans and Democrats alike-certified the results of the 2020 presidential election. Courts across the country rejected claims of widespread fraud. Federal judges appointed by presidents of both parties dismissed these cases for lack of evidence. There was no stolen election. There was no massive fraud. There was no justification-then or now-for federal seizure of elections. To suggest otherwise is not merely wrong. It is reckless.

"President Trump cannot nationalize our federal elections. Our Constitution prohibits it. . . . And if he tried to, he would be committing an impeachable offense against the Constitution of the United States. . . This resolution draws a bright line. It affirms what should never need reaffirming: that elections belong to the states, the Constitution belongs to the people, and no President-ever-stands above either. The Senate should speak with one voice on this question tonight. The Constitution demands the Senate speak with one voice tonight. Democracy requires the Senate speak with one voice tonight."

Senator Markey has strongly denounced the Trump administration's reckless attacks on the Constitution and on free and fair elections in the United States.

• Earlier this week, Senator Markey introduced his resolution reaffirming states' authority to run federal elections.
• Last week, Senator Markey released a statement in response to growing recognition that the Trump administration's immigration policies are tied to efforts to subvert free and fair elections in the United States.
• In January, Senator Markey joined Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Committee on Rules and Administration, and Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee, and 25 Senate colleagues in pushing the Department of Justice to stop its unlawful pressure campaign to coerce dozens of states into providing the Trump administration their voter rolls, which include voters' personally identifiable information.
• Also in January, Senator Markey issued a statement marking five years since President Trump incited a MAGA mob to violently storm the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, and threaten to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

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