Dem blames gridlock on Boehner

Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) took a stab at Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Sunday, arguing that the Republican’s leadership struggles had stalled progress in Congress.

{mosads}“He would come to the table with the president, negotiate a compromise, and then couldn’t deliver his caucus,” Coons said in an appearance with CNN’s “State of the Union.”

“My hope is that incoming majority leader Mitch McConnell can manage his own caucus,” Coons said.

The Democrat added that he hopes that “the politics of 2016” don’t set apart Senate Republicans and keep them from passing legislation.

Coons called out Boehner for “real difficulties” in controlling his caucus, which has swelled with members of the Tea Party over the last several elections.

Boehner, who is angling for another term as Speaker, was the target of a coup within his party in 2013 and continues to be unpopular with some members of his party.

If reelected as Speaker, Boehner would have two years in a GOP-controlled Congress, offering the GOP far more leeway with its legislative goals.