Mitch McConnell And John Thune Tighten Their Grip On The Senate GOP

John Thune and Mitch McConnell’s grip on the Senate GOP grew tighter this week when it was announced that Mitch McConnell would be the Senate Rules Committee Chairman for the next two years. Thune recently replaced McConnell as GOP Senate Leader. McConnell has long groomed Thune to succeed him as GOP Senate Leader, even donating to Thune numerous times. It is important to note that Thune and McConnell have made negative comments regarding the Senate Recess appointments for President Trump’s nominees. McConnell also announced that he would be Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. McConnell and Thune have supported numerous Ukraine spending measures backed by Biden, Kamala, and Schumer. It seems globalists are positioning themselves to obstruct President Trump’s agenda.

John Thune seems to be rewarding his old friend Mitch McConnell, who announced that he would be Chairman of the powerful Senate Rules Committee and Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. McConnell’s new committeeships mean that he will have a significant say in the Senate’s day-to-day operations and defense bills.

McConnell’s statement announcing his new chairmanship reads, “America’s national security interests face the gravest array of threats since the Second World War. At this critical moment, a new Senate Republican majority has a responsibility to secure the future of U.S. leadership and primacy. I intend to play an active role in this urgent mission as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, and I look forward to working closely with incoming Chair Susan Collins to accomplish our shared goal. The Senate Rules Committee will also have important work to accomplish in the 119th Congress, and I look forward to leading it as Chairman. Defending the Senate as an institution and protecting the right to political speech in our elections remain among my longest-standing priorities. Ranking Member Deb Fischer has done an outstanding job advancing these causes, and I know she will remain a key partner in the committee’s ongoing work.”

Laura Loomer posted on McConnell’s new leadership positions, “After stepping down as Senate GOP leader, @LeaderMcConnell Mitch McConnell says he plans on obstructing President Trump’s agenda by becoming the Senate Rules Committee chairman for the next two years. He can’t get through a press conference without stroking out. But he wants to be the chair of the Senate Rules Committee.”

It should be no surprise that Thune ensured McConnell remained one of the GOP’s most powerful Senators. McConnell has long groomed Thune to replace him as Senate GOP Leader. McConnell has even financially backed Thune. FEC records show that Mitch McConnell’s Bluegrass Committee has frequently donated to Friends of John Thune since 2009. 

McConnell and Thune have the same policies. Thune and McConnell poured cold water on the idea of President Trump’s nominees receiving recess appointments. John Thune said he does not believe he has the votes to recess the Senate for recess appointments. It is sad that Thune believes he does not have the votes to call a recess, considering Republicans control the United States Senate. 

Given that McConnell is now Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. It is important to note that McConnell and Thune have supported numerous Ukrainian spending measures backed by Biden, Kamala, and Schumer. Thune’s statement about supporting Ukraine supports similar policies that Senate Democrats embrace, “Withdrawing American support for Ukraine could very well end up with a victorious and newly emboldened Putin on the doorstep of four former Soviet satellite states – now NATO members whom we are bound by treaty to protect.”

It is now more critical than ever that GOP voters hold their elected GOP Senators accountable to ensure Trump’s agenda passes the United States Senate.