McConnell promises dramatic change , putting the Senate back to work

McConnell promises dramatic change , putting the Senate back to work

By Alexander Bolton

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told colleagues on the first full day of the new Congress to expect a dramatic change from his predecessor, Democratic leader Harry Reid (Nev.).

He pledged to decentralize power in the Senate, which had become concentrated in Reid’s office during the past eight years of Democratic rule.

“It’s time to change the business model,” McConnell said in his first lengthy speech on the floor as majority leader. “We need to return to regular order. We need to get committees working again. We need to recommit to a rational, functional appropriations process.”

He promised to “open up the legislative process” to allow senators on both sides of the aisle more opportunity to offer and vote on amendments.

That approach will mean working long weeks and later hours, he warned.

“But restoring the Senate is the right thing to do. And it’s the practical thing to do,” he said.

McConnell said the nation has lost faith in government and no longer trusts Washington.

https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/228746-mcconnell-promises-dramatic-change