Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is facing fresh criticism from Republican senators over his leadership following recent controversy over a bipartisan border security bill.
The bill was previously supported by McConnell, but many Republican senators strongly opposed it, believing it would not sufficiently reduce the level of illegal immigration into the United States, especially the provision that would allow processing of up to 5,000 people. opposed. per day until emergency measures are taken.McConnell later voted against As the bill moves forward on Wednesday, his critics in the Senate Republican conference have begun calling for his replacement, while other senators have declined to say whether they support him. (Related: Senate Democrats block resolution labeling border crisis an 'invasion')
Republican Sens. J.D. Vance of Ohio and Josh Hawley of Missouri told the Daily Caller News Foundation “no” when asked if they still had confidence in McConnell's leadership. answered. Meanwhile, Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah said, “Yes,” when asked if leadership should be changed now.
I know there are many in the Senate who are using “the system” as an excuse not to challenge Mr. McConnell…but he is hurting the country. Those in positions of authority should be challenged when they cease to serve the people. It shouldn't be personal. https://t.co/2obCNyYqe9
— Anna Paulina Luna (@realannapaulina) February 7, 2024
Mr. Hawley, Mr. Lee and Mr. Vance are among a group of at least four senators, including Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, who recently called for Mr. McConnell to resign. Meanwhile, several other senators who spoke with DCNF did not say whether they support or oppose McConnell, leaving their positions unclear.
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, told DCNF he had “no comment.”
“I don't agree with that [McConnell’s] The desire to provide funds to Ukraine and send money to Ukraine. I also didn't agree with the border bill he put together. I don't think it was enough to stem the flow of illegal immigration. So I strongly disagree with the policies he's putting forth,” Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky said, though he reiterated his answer when asked if McConnell should resign. .
“I didn't agree with that strategy,” Republican Sen. Eric Schmidt of Missouri told DCNF about McConnell's leadership on border security issues. Asked about leadership changes, he added: “One thing at a time.”
In November 2022, McConnell faced a challenge to his conference leadership from Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, who ran to replace him in the 118th Congress. In the leadership race, he defeated Scott 37-10 in a secret ballot, with Hawley, Lee and Cruz also voting against him, as well as Sens. Mike Braun of Indiana and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin. (Related article: 'A man of words': Biden praises Mitch McConnell)
On Tuesday, McConnell appeared to have received support from Republican leaders to remain in office. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina spoke out about Mr. McConnell's leadership of the DCNF, along with Sen. John Boozman of Arkansas, Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota, Sen. Peter Ricketts of Nebraska, and Sen. Peter Ricketts of Kansas. “I'm fine with that,” he said, along with Sen. Roger Marshall and Sen. Tommy. All residents of Tuberville, Alabama support his leadership.
“The truth is, our conference is divided on this issue right now. And I think it's very difficult to run a divided conference. This isn't the first time we're divided on an issue. Not and not the last time,” said Republican Sen. Bill Hagerty of Tennessee. “I'm confident that under Sen. McConnell's leadership, we can get through this.”
“The entire time I've been in this job, I've had a small group of people who have been relentlessly critical of me. They had a chance,” McConnell told Politico on Wednesday.
Mr. McConnell's office did not respond to a request for comment.
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