Senate

McConnell to Dems: Work with us on GOP’s ‘formidable’ challenges

by Jordain Carney - 01/23/17 5:06 PM ET

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) pled with Democrats to work with Republicans in remarks on the Senate floor Monday.

He argued that the Trump administration faces “formidable” challenges and needs help from both parties to get action done.

“Let us not underestimate the challenges President Trump is inheriting. They are indeed formidable. There’s a lot to fix, but we can move forward if we work together,” he said.

The Senate’s top Republican added “the campaign is over. It’s time for governing is upon us, and we face huge challenges.”

Lawmakers have spent the first two weeks of the new Congress locked down in fights over repealing ObamaCare and confirming Trump’s Cabinet nominees.

{mosads}Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) reiterated on Monday that Republicans should drop their plan to repeal ObamaCare. He warned that without a replacement plan ready to go, repeal would “create chaos.”

Republicans don’t need Democratic support to repeal the Affordable Care Act, but they are expected to need 60 votes — including at least eight Democrats — to replace it. Democrats also face an uphill battle to block any of Trump’s Cabinet picks, who only need 50 votes to clear the upper chamber.

McConnell said Democrats should “engage” rather than trying to score political “points.”

“Our Democratic friends can crank the foe outrage machine up to 10, claim Republicans are motivated by some desire to make America sick again and get right back to the Hatfield and the McCoy routine, but that won’t solve the problem or move us forward,” he said.

So far no Democrats are expected to vote to repeal the bill, though some have signaled they would be willing to look at a replacement plan — stressing that the onus is on Republicans to come up with the legislation.

Tags Chuck Schumer Mitch McConnell