'Real juice': Mitch McConnell grapples with ways to 'wield his long-held power' in months ahead

14 June 2024

Although Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) is resigning from that position in November, the 82-year-old conservative plans to serve out the rest of his six-year term — which doesn't end until January 2027.

In an article published on June 14, Axios' Stef W. Kight reports that Senate Republicans are "speculating about how" McConnell "might continue to wield his long-held power" after he is no longer the chamber's GOP leader.

According to several Axios sources, McConnell is "eyeing chair" of the Senate Appropriations Committee if Republicans flip the Senate in November. Republicans will need to flip two Democrat-held seats in order to regain control of Congress' upper chamber.

"While no final decision has been made," Kight explains, "such a post would let him remain a force with real juice, wielding enviable say over funding for everything from the Pentagon to pet projects until he finishes his term in 2027."

However, McConnell would be competing with Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) for that position. Collins presently serves as Senate Appropriations Committee vice-chair, working closely with Chair Patty Murray (D-Washington).

Annie Clark, Collins' communications director, told Axios, "Sen. Collins fully anticipates that in the next Congress, she will either be the chair or vice-chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Of course, it is Sen. McConnell's prerogative to make his own decisions given his seniority."

There are a variety of scenarios when it comes the outcome of the 2024 election in November.

One is presumptive 2024 GOP presidential frontrunner Donald Trump defeating incumbent President Joe Biden and flipping the Senate as well. Another possible scenario is Biden being reelected and Democrats flipping the U.S. House of Representatives but losing the U.S. Senate — in which case, Biden, during his second term, would have a more difficult time getting his nominees confirmed.

Kight notes, "Chairing Appropriations would give McConnell even more say in boosting U.S. spending on defense and military aid. It also could set up potential clashes with Donald Trump over spending if he wins the presidency and Republicans take the Senate majority."

Read Axios' full article at this link.

From Your Site Articles