Outgoing Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell, in a speech Friday reflecting on his time in leadership, urged lawmakers to find ways to get things done amid Congress’ ongoing government funding meltdown.
“Folks come to Washington to do one of two things. To make a point. Or to make a difference … it’s usually not that hard to tell who’s doing which. Especially in situations like the one we are in right now,” McConnell said.
McConnell will exit leadership next term, but remain in the conference as a rank-and-file member. He is not up for reelection until 2026, and is expected to play a mentor role for Senate Republicans next term. He has served as GOP leader for nearly two decades and signaled he intends to stay involved in legislating, insisting the “arsenal of democracy must be restored” and “peace through strength must once again actually mean something other than just a slogan.”
But this week, McConnell’s final legislative days as leader are being marked by chaos in the House, where Republican leadership has failed to pass a government funding bill ahead of Friday night’s shutdown deadline.
McConnell expressed his distaste with members who are holding out a funding deal.
“You never get everything you want, but often you can get quite a lot. And the folks who prefer to make a point have a funny habit of reminding us out loud how poorly they understand that fact,” McConnell said.
“I don’t care to count how many times I’ve reminded our colleagues, and our House counterparts, how harmful it is to shut the government down,” he added. “And how foolish it is to bet your own side won’t take the blame for it. Recent history doesn’t leave a whole lot of room for interpretation on that on.”
Looking ahead, McConnell said he’ll be rooting for the new Senate GOP leadership team, which Sen. John Thune of South Dakota will helm starting next year.