Senate Republicans begin to chart post-McConnell future
By
Emily Jacobs
March 20, 2024 6:53 pm
Senate Republicans gathered on Wednesday to begin setting up the process to elect Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) replacement.
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) and nine of his conservative colleagues requested the meeting “to develop a mission statement, goals for the Conference, and a process to elect a new Senate Republican Leader” in a letter late last month to Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY).
The meeting didn’t end with a mission statement being drafted, though the idea was considered, two senators who participated in the meeting told the Washington Examiner. Members across the conservative ideological spectrum described the meeting positively, saying individual senators shared ideas about what they’d like to see for the conference.
Prioritizing deficit reduction, ways to change the appropriations process, and protecting the filibuster were among the topics discussed. Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), the two members running for McConnell’s position, listened rather than weighing in on the discussion, three senators in the room said.
“It was room temperature; never got too hot, never got too cold,” Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) told the Washington Examiner of the meeting. “It was just a good discussion looking forward. So I really credit the colleagues who called the conference for the very genuine talk.”
more
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/senate/2931066/senate-republicans-begin-chart-post-mcconnell-future/
