McConnell takes aim at fellow GOP Sen. Scott’s plan

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) distanced himself Tuesday from an agenda released by Sen. Rick Scott (Fla.), who chairs the Senate GOP campaign arm.

McConnell, speaking at a weekly leadership press conference, was asked about Scott’s proposal. Scott was at the press conference but left after he spoke and as McConnell got the question about him. 

“We will not have as part of our agenda a bill that raises taxes on half the American people and sunsets Social Security and Medicare within five years. That will not be part of the Republican Senate majority agenda,” McConnell said. 

The plan marks a break between the GOP leader and the man responsible for winning the majority back in November’s midterm election as head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).

Scott released his 11-point plan last week, saying that it wasn’t meant to represent the NRSC or the Senate GOP conference more broadly.  

One of the proposals called for all Americans to pay taxes, even a small amount. Scott clarified that it wouldn’t apply to seniors or those who aren’t “able-bodied.” 

The plan has sparked pushback from Democrats and Republicans, dominating a closed-door GOP leadership meeting on Monday night, sources confirmed to The Hill.

Politico also reported last week that former President Trump had tried to recruit Scott to be GOP leader. Scott has said he isn’t interested in the position.  

But Scott’s decision to release his plan raised eyebrows because McConnell had declined to release his own agenda. He said on Tuesday that Republicans would focus on inflation, energy, defense, the border and crime. 

“I will be the majority leader,” McConnell said about a potential GOP majority. “I’ll decide in consultation with my members what to put on the floor.”