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| − | '''Addison Mitchell "Mitch" McConnell, Jr.''', born February 20, 1942 (age {{age|1942|2|20}}), is the senior [[Republican]] United States Senator from [[Kentucky]] and the current Senate [[Majority Leader]]. Although his voting record has been rated as conservative by some,<ref>[https://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Mitch_McConnell.htm Mitch McConnell on the Issues]</ref> McConnell is an establishment-leaning [[RINO Backer]] who has blocked [[pro-life]] legislation, pushed for [[pro-abortion]] nominees to the courts, and who sometimes rams through [[liberal]]-favored deals to increase the [[debt ceiling]]. | + | '''Addison Mitchell "Mitch" McConnell, Jr.''', born February 20, 1942 (age {{age|1942|2|20}}), is the senior [[Republican]] United States Senator from [[Kentucky]] and the current Senate [[Majority Leader]]. Although his voting record has been rated as conservative by some,<ref>[https://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Mitch_McConnell.htm Mitch McConnell on the Issues]</ref> McConnell is an establishment [[RINO Backer]] who has blocked [[pro-life]] legislation ([[Mitch McConnell#Blocking_Graham-Cassidy_bill|see below]]), pushed for [[pro-abortion]] nominees to the courts, and who sometimes rams through [[liberal]]-favored deals to increase the [[debt ceiling]].<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2017/08/21/mitch-mcconnell-zero-chance-vote-freeze-debt-limit/ Mitch McConnell Vows to Raise U.S. Debt Ceiling]</ref> |
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| − | A [[globalist]], McConnell was arguably the least effective [[Majority Leader]] ever during the 115th U.S. Congress, accomplishing remarkably little in two years of [[Republican]] control of both the [[White House]] and [[Congress]] under President [[Donald Trump]]. While credited with confirming some appellate judges, not all of whom are [[conservative]], McConnell has made very little progress in confirming Trump's nominees to district court judgeships. | + | A [[globalist]], McConnell was arguably the least effective [[Majority Leader]] ever during the 115th U.S. Congress, accomplishing remarkably little in two years of [[Republican]] control of both the [[White House]] and [[Congress]] under President [[Donald Trump]]. While credited with confirming some appellate judges, not all of whom are [[conservative]], McConnell has made very little progress in confirming Trump's nominees to district court judgeships. |
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| | In 2018 and again in 2020, McConnell worked overtime to try to keep his critic [[Roy Moore]] from being elected to the [[U.S. Senate]] from [[Alabama]], preferring instead that the deeply [[Republican]] state elect a [[Democrat]] or a pro-[[Deep State]] Republican. | | In 2018 and again in 2020, McConnell worked overtime to try to keep his critic [[Roy Moore]] from being elected to the [[U.S. Senate]] from [[Alabama]], preferring instead that the deeply [[Republican]] state elect a [[Democrat]] or a pro-[[Deep State]] Republican. |
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| − | McConnel has been married to [[Elaine Chao]] since 1993.
| + | McConnell has been married to [[Elaine Chao]] since 1993. |
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| | In light of the impeachment coup against President Trump, McConnell called the House vote "unprecedented" and said that the Senate will "provide stability".<ref>[https://www.axios.com/trump-impeachment-mitch-mcconnell-senate-40bad0f8-9eeb-44ee-87bb-8b5e58814952.html McConnell on Trump impeachment: "The Senate exists for moments like this"]</ref> McConnell later proved himself able to successfully lead the Senate to acquit Trump despite decades of inefficiency. | | In light of the impeachment coup against President Trump, McConnell called the House vote "unprecedented" and said that the Senate will "provide stability".<ref>[https://www.axios.com/trump-impeachment-mitch-mcconnell-senate-40bad0f8-9eeb-44ee-87bb-8b5e58814952.html McConnell on Trump impeachment: "The Senate exists for moments like this"]</ref> McConnell later proved himself able to successfully lead the Senate to acquit Trump despite decades of inefficiency. |
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| | ==Early life== | | ==Early life== |
| − | | + | McConnell was born in Tuscumbia, [[Alabama]] to Julia Shockley and Addison Mitchell McConnell and raised in south [[Louisville]], Kentucky, he attended DuPont Manual High School and graduated from the [[University of Louisville]] College of Arts and Sciences with honors in 1964, where he was student body president and member of Phi Kappa Tau. He graduated in 1967 from the [[University of Kentucky]] College of Law, where he was elected president of the Student Bar Association. McConnell gained experience on Capitol Hill as an intern under [[RINO]] Senator [[John Sherman Cooper]], later as an assistant to Senator Marlow Cook, and was a Deputy Assistant Attorney General under President [[Gerald R. Ford]]. |
| − | McConnell was born in Tuscumbia, [[Alabama]] to Julia Shockley and Addison Mitchell McConnell and raised in south [[Louisville]], Kentucky, he attended duPont Manual High School and graduated from the [[University of Louisville]] College of Arts and Sciences with honors in 1964, where he was student body president and member of Phi Kappa Tau. He graduated in 1967 from the [[University of Kentucky]] College of Law, where he was elected president of the Student Bar Association. McConnell gained experience on Capitol Hill as an intern under Senator [[John Sherman Cooper]], later as an assistant to Senator Marlow Cook, and was a Deputy Assistant Attorney General under President [[Gerald R. Ford]]. | |
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| | ==U.S. Senate== | | ==U.S. Senate== |
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| | McConnell was elected to the Senate in 1984 when he defeated two-term [[Democratic]] Senator Dee Huddleston. Since then he has been re-elected four times. After the 2006 elections, he was unanimously elected Senate Minority Leader, previously serving as Majority Whip. He is married to former Secretary of Labor [[Elaine Chao]], who is from a wealthy family profiting off foreign trade. McConnell has been very involved in Republican party politics. He was chairman of the [[National Republican Senatorial Committee]] during the 1998 and 2000 election cycles. In both, Republicans maintained control of the [[Senate]]. McConnell is viewed as a [[conservative]] on nearly all issues, receiving an 89% lifetime rating from the [[American Conservative Union]].<ref>http://www.acuratings.org/2008all.htm#KY</ref> However, he was one of just three Senate Republicans who voted against a Constitutional ban on [[Flag Desecration Amendment|flag desecration]].<ref>https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00189</ref> | | McConnell was elected to the Senate in 1984 when he defeated two-term [[Democratic]] Senator Dee Huddleston. Since then he has been re-elected four times. After the 2006 elections, he was unanimously elected Senate Minority Leader, previously serving as Majority Whip. He is married to former Secretary of Labor [[Elaine Chao]], who is from a wealthy family profiting off foreign trade. McConnell has been very involved in Republican party politics. He was chairman of the [[National Republican Senatorial Committee]] during the 1998 and 2000 election cycles. In both, Republicans maintained control of the [[Senate]]. McConnell is viewed as a [[conservative]] on nearly all issues, receiving an 89% lifetime rating from the [[American Conservative Union]].<ref>http://www.acuratings.org/2008all.htm#KY</ref> However, he was one of just three Senate Republicans who voted against a Constitutional ban on [[Flag Desecration Amendment|flag desecration]].<ref>https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00189</ref> |
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| | + | ====Oil drilling==== |
| | McConnell offered offshore [[oil]] drilling resolutions on the Senate floor in July 2008. He was intent on setting a trigger to initiate drilling if the price exceeds a certain mark. First, he offered to drill if gasoline prices hit $4.50 a gallon. This was rejected by Democrats. Then he offered a trigger at $5.50 a gallon, $7.50 a gallon and $10 per gallon, with Democrats rejecting each offer.<ref>[http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=27826 Breaking: Dems like $10 per Gallon Gasoline] Human Events, July 31, 2008</ref> | | McConnell offered offshore [[oil]] drilling resolutions on the Senate floor in July 2008. He was intent on setting a trigger to initiate drilling if the price exceeds a certain mark. First, he offered to drill if gasoline prices hit $4.50 a gallon. This was rejected by Democrats. Then he offered a trigger at $5.50 a gallon, $7.50 a gallon and $10 per gallon, with Democrats rejecting each offer.<ref>[http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=27826 Breaking: Dems like $10 per Gallon Gasoline] Human Events, July 31, 2008</ref> |
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| | + | ===Obama era=== |
| | Mitch McConnell managed to hold onto his Senate seat in the 2008 elections, which saw a Democratic surge, just short of a supermajority. Mitch McConnell was widely regarded within the Republican Party as an adept Minority Leader. The filibuster strategy used by the Democrats was first pushed by McConnell. | | Mitch McConnell managed to hold onto his Senate seat in the 2008 elections, which saw a Democratic surge, just short of a supermajority. Mitch McConnell was widely regarded within the Republican Party as an adept Minority Leader. The filibuster strategy used by the Democrats was first pushed by McConnell. |
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| − | McConnell said he would join the [[gun control]] filibuster.<ref>https://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2013/04/09/mitch-mcconnell-yeah-im-joining-this-gun-control-filibuster-n1562143</ref> | + | ====Gun control filibuster==== |
| | + | McConnell said he would join the [[gun control]] filibuster against Democrat anti-[[second amendment]] bills.<ref>https://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2013/04/09/mitch-mcconnell-yeah-im-joining-this-gun-control-filibuster-n1562143</ref> |
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| − | In 2014, McConnell faced [[Tea Party]] challenger [[Matt Bevin]] in his primary for re-election, and held on only by heavily outspending his [[conservative]] rival. McConnell then defeated Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes in the heavily Republican Kentucky in the general election. | + | ====2014 Senate election==== |
| | + | In 2014, McConnell faced [[Tea Party]] challenger [[Matt Bevin]] in his primary for re-election, and held on only by heavily outspending his [[conservative]] rival. McConnell then defeated Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes in the heavily Republican Kentucky in the general election.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2014/kentucky-elections Kentucky Election Results]</ref> |
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| − | McConnell became the Senate majority leader in 2015 after the GOP retook the Senate. While he promised to make the Senate less dysfunctional, it had only gotten worse by 2018.<ref>Wallner, James (March 29, 2018). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/mitch-mcconnell-promised-to-fix-the-broken-senate-instead-its-only-gotten-worse Mitch McConnell promised to fix the broken Senate. Instead, it's only gotten worse.] ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved March 29, 2018.</ref> | + | McConnell became the [[Senate Majority Leader]] in 2015 after the GOP retook the Senate. Since being elected, McConnell and others in the Republican establishment have not sought to keep their promises. |
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| − | Since being elected, they have not sought to keep their promises.
| + | ===Trump era=== |
| | + | ====Blocking Graham-Cassidy bill==== |
| | + | The [[Graham-Cassidy healthcare bill]], a measure to repeal [[ObamaCare]] that was [[pro-life]] enough to elicit [[liberal media]] opposition,<ref>Two references: |
| | + | *[https://www.bustle.com/p/would-graham-cassidy-defund-planned-parenthood-it-decimates-womens-health-care-access-2419003 Would Graham-Cassidy Defund Planned Parenthood? It Decimates Women's Health Care Access] |
| | + | *[https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/9/19/16328928/obamacare-repeal-cassidy-graham-health-care-women The new Obamacare repeal bill is the worst yet for women’s health]</ref> was expected to be up for a Senate vote until McConnell announced on September 26, 2017 that there would be no vote.<ref>Two references: |
| | + | *[https://www.businessinsider.com/mcconnell-graham-cassidy-healthcare-vote-obamacare-repeal-2017-9?op=1 IT'S OVER: Republicans will not vote on Graham-Cassidy healthcare bill, will move on from Obamacare repeal for now] |
| | + | *[https://townhall.com/tipsheet/christinerousselle/2017/09/26/grahamcassidy-is-dead-n2386858 The Graham-Cassidy Bill is Dead; Senate Will Not Vote]</ref> |
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| | + | ====2018 Omnibus==== |
| | + | In 2018, McConnell has worked overtime in making sure to garner enough support within his party line to pass a fiscally reckless $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill.<ref>[https://www.politico.com/story/2018/03/22/rand-paul-senate-omnibus-480553 McConnell secures budget deal with ‘begging, pleading and cajoling’]</ref> While the legislation would raise wages for armed forces members and allocate money to help fight the [[opioid]] crisis, negotiation with [[open border]]-supporting [[Democrats]] on the bill only provided 641 million dollars for the [[border wall]] rather than $25 billion that [[Donald Trump]] had sought to fund border security.<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2018/03/21/paul-ryan-and-mitch-mcconnell-work-to-sell-omnibus-spending-to-donald-trump-at-the-white-house/ Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell Work to Sell Omnibus Spending to Donald Trump at the White House]</ref> |
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| | ==Broken promises== | | ==Broken promises== |
| | McConnell, like many Republicans, has promised that if a Senate majority could be reached, they would work toward passing an actual budget instead of stop-gap spending measures.<ref>[https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/206309-gop-well-pass-budget-every-year- Senate GOP: We’ll pass a budget every year]</ref> | | McConnell, like many Republicans, has promised that if a Senate majority could be reached, they would work toward passing an actual budget instead of stop-gap spending measures.<ref>[https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/206309-gop-well-pass-budget-every-year- Senate GOP: We’ll pass a budget every year]</ref> |
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| | + | While McConnell had promised to make the Senate less dysfunctional, it had only gotten worse by 2018.<ref>Wallner, James (March 29, 2018). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/mitch-mcconnell-promised-to-fix-the-broken-senate-instead-its-only-gotten-worse Mitch McConnell promised to fix the broken Senate. Instead, it's only gotten worse.] ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved March 29, 2018.</ref> |
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| | ==Controversies== | | ==Controversies== |
| − | In 2013, it was reported that McConnell said that he wanted to "punch [[Tea Party]] bullies in the nose".<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2013/11/22/exclusive-mcconnell-tea-party-a-bunch-of-bullies-who-me-and-karl-rove-are-going-to-punch-in-the-nose/ Exclusive - McConnell: Tea Party 'Bullies' Who Need Punch in Nose], [[Breitbart.com]]</ref> A further examination by [[The Blaze]] indicated the plausibility that McConnell was probably talking about the [[Senate Conservatives Fund]], which is known for supporting more conservative candidates over [[Establishment]]-preferred candidates.<ref>[https://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/11/22/rumor-check-did-mitch-mcconnell-say-he-wants-to-punch-tea-party-bullies-in-the-nose/ Rumor Check: Did Mitch McConnell Say He Wants to Punch Tea Party ‘Bullies’ in the Nose?]</ref> | + | In 2013, it was reported that McConnell said that he wanted to "punch [[Tea Party]] bullies in the nose".<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2013/11/22/exclusive-mcconnell-tea-party-a-bunch-of-bullies-who-me-and-karl-rove-are-going-to-punch-in-the-nose/ Exclusive - McConnell: Tea Party 'Bullies' Who Need Punch in Nose], [[Breitbart.com]]</ref> A further examination by [[The Blaze]] indicated the plausibility that McConnell was probably talking about the [[Senate Conservatives Fund]], which is known for supporting more conservative candidates over [[Establishment]]-preferred candidates.<ref>[https://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/11/22/rumor-check-did-mitch-mcconnell-say-he-wants-to-punch-tea-party-bullies-in-the-nose/ Rumor Check: Did Mitch McConnell Say He Wants to Punch Tea Party ‘Bullies’ in the Nose?] '''(Note: link is broken)</ref> |
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| | ==Personal life== | | ==Personal life== |
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| | ==Liberal opposition== | | ==Liberal opposition== |
| | :''See also: [[Moscow Mitch syndrome]] and [[Left-wing violence in the Trump era]]'' | | :''See also: [[Moscow Mitch syndrome]] and [[Left-wing violence in the Trump era]]'' |
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| | McConnell has been subject to multiple liberal smears and attacks after the 2016 election. In one case, he was confronted by an unhinged liberal while dining with his wife.<ref>[https://www.westernjournal.com/watch-mitch-mcconnell-attacked-dining-wife/ Watch: Mitch McConnell Attacked While Dining with His Wife]</ref> In another instance, protestors outside his home called for violence against the senator.<ref>[https://townhall.com/tipsheet/timothymeads/2019/08/06/protester-outside-mitch-mcconnells-home-says-stab-the-motherfcker-in-the-heart-n2551245 Protester Outside Mitch McConnell's Home Says 'Stab The Motherf*cker In The Heart']</ref> After blocking two partisan "election security" bills, he has been labeled as "Moscow Mitch" by communist-supporting [[Liberal hypocrisy|liberal hypocrites]].<ref>[https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/455570-kentucky-democrats-sell-moscow-mitch-gear-after-mcconnell Kentucky Democrats sell 'Moscow Mitch' gear after McConnell blocks election security bills]</ref> | | McConnell has been subject to multiple liberal smears and attacks after the 2016 election. In one case, he was confronted by an unhinged liberal while dining with his wife.<ref>[https://www.westernjournal.com/watch-mitch-mcconnell-attacked-dining-wife/ Watch: Mitch McConnell Attacked While Dining with His Wife]</ref> In another instance, protestors outside his home called for violence against the senator.<ref>[https://townhall.com/tipsheet/timothymeads/2019/08/06/protester-outside-mitch-mcconnells-home-says-stab-the-motherfcker-in-the-heart-n2551245 Protester Outside Mitch McConnell's Home Says 'Stab The Motherf*cker In The Heart']</ref> After blocking two partisan "election security" bills, he has been labeled as "Moscow Mitch" by communist-supporting [[Liberal hypocrisy|liberal hypocrites]].<ref>[https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/455570-kentucky-democrats-sell-moscow-mitch-gear-after-mcconnell Kentucky Democrats sell 'Moscow Mitch' gear after McConnell blocks election security bills]</ref> |
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| | ==External links== | | ==External links== |
| − | * [http://mcconnell.senate.gov Sen. McConnell's Official Web Site] | + | *[http://mcconnell.senate.gov Sen. McConnell's Official Web Site] |
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| − | {{Deep State}}
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| | {{DEFAULTSORT:McConnell, Mitch}} | | {{DEFAULTSORT:McConnell, Mitch}} |
| | [[Category:United States Senators]] | | [[Category:United States Senators]] |