McConnell Pushes Back on Dem Stimulus Pressure

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) shot back against pressure from Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to support an economic stimulus plan next week, saying the total cost of the “as-yet unwritten spending and bailout bill” is unknown.

McConnell was reacting to a letter earlier Friday from Reid, in which Reid called on McConnell to support a multi-part package that includes $25 billion in loans for the auto industry.

“Sen. Reid has not yet provided us with the text of his proposed spending bill, or the cost to the taxpayer, or its impact on the deficit. So it would be a real challenge to promise any level of support or opposition sight unseen,” McConnell said. “Perhaps when a bill is actually written, and its costs are known, both Republicans and Democrats can take a position on the legislation.”

McConnell also took a shot at Senate Democrats, saying that the depth of support within the majority party’s ranks is also still unknown.

“It would be helpful to know if a majority of his caucus even supports what he will propose,” he said. “The silence from the Democrat rank and file on this matter has been deafening.”

–J. Taylor Rushing