Senate Republicans boiled over in a private lunch after two dueling bills to reopen the government failed Thursday, taking out their frustration on each other and their leadership.
According to a Thursday Washington Post report, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) aimed a barb at Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
“This is your fault,” Johnson said.
“Are you suggesting I’m enjoying this?” McConnell snarled back.
McConnell shared his discontent with Vice President Mike Pence, also in attendance, letting him know that the shutdown was not his idea and that he did not approve of it. “There is no education in the second kick of a mule,” he quipped.
Republicans are reportedly straining under pressure from their right-wing constituents to stand by President Donald Trump, and from others who want to government reopened and blame them for the suffering the shutdown has caused.
Per the Post, another heated moment came when Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT), one of the six Republicans who voted for the Democratic bill, explained his vote to the group. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) tried to interrupt, prompting an angry outburst from Romney.
I hope Mittens jerked a knot in Tillis’s tail.
It couldn’t happen to a nicer party. Fuck the GOP
It’s about time.
Remember every one of those senators yelling at each other gave Trump the nomination. They could have done something to thwart it in 2015-16 but they kowtowed to him and lord knows who else. I wonder how many regret it in private or the cloakroom.
They could solve this easily if several of them declared themselves independents and caucused with the Democrats. It probably won’t get to that but they do appear to be cracking under the pressure. It is good to hear that Mitch is getting some heat. The press needs to get on this and report how he is enabling Trump’s government shutdown.