As Democrats in the House of Representatives risk removal from their committee assignments, two Republican senators are losing their committee positions at the direction of their own party’s leadership.
Mitch McConnell, the minority leader of the Senate, is taking action against two of his Republican detractors.
Wednesday, according to Fox News, the Senate Republican leader removed Senators Rick Scott (FL) and Mike Lee (UT) from the Senate Commerce Committee.
Both senators are among McConnell’s senate Republican caucus opponents.
Speaking to CNN on the committee assignments, Scott characterized McConnell’s action as an act of political retribution.
“He didn’t like that I opposed him because I believe we have to have ideas — fight over ideas. And so, he took Mike Lee and I off the committee.”
According to the Hill, Scott was characterized as “furious” about McConnell’s decision to remove him from the influential senate committee. Scott apparently heard of his dismissal through text message.
GOP Leader Mitch McConnell exercised his authority to remove Sens. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) from the powerful Senate Commerce Committee, according to sources familiar with decision.
Conservatives think it's payback for Scott's leadership challenge in Nov.
— Alex Bolton (@alexanderbolton) February 1, 2023
Scott challenged McConnell for the role of minority leader after Republicans, contrary to expectations, failed to achieve a “red wave” victory in the 2022 midterm elections.
Scott had issued his own policy manifesto for Republicans to run on in the midterm elections, in contrast to McConnell, who opposed the release of a policy platform for Republican senate candidates.
Lee also tweeted disparaging remarks about McConnell following his departure from the committee.
Mitch happens. 💅 https://t.co/fs3CVVgUmS
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) February 2, 2023
More on this story via The Western Journal:
Conservatives assailed McConnell’s move to remove his critics from one of the most-sought committee assignments in the Senate.CONTINUE READING…