McConnell: Trump should give himself ‘a little more credit’ for changes

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) praised President Trump on Sunday, saying he should give himself more credit for the changes he has brought about during his presidency. 

“I think he’s getting a lot more done than he’s giving everybody credit for,” he told CNN’s Dana Bash on “State of the Union.” “I think the president ought to give himself a little more credit for the changes that he is bringing about that are turning the country in a different direction.” 

{mosads}

The two men have sometimes appeared at odds, with Trump blaming McConnell for failing to successfully legislate his agenda. The Senate has also been slow to confirm Trump administration nominees, although McConnell praised the president for important appointments.

“I don’t think President Trump has been given nearly enough credit, by the way, for the other things that he’s doing to get the country growing again. And that is changing the people on these boards and commissions that have such a pervasive impact on growth in this country. The [Securities and Exchange Commission], the Federal Communications Commission, the [National Labor Relations Board], the Food and Drug Administration,” McConnell said.

“The president sent up spectacular appointments, and the Senate, of course, is in the personnel business. We work with him to get the government staff, not to mention … Justice Neil Gorsuch and other judicial appointments that are coming through the pipeline,” he continued.

McConnell’s comments come as congressional Republicans attempt to work with the Trump administration to score their first major legislative victory of the year in tax reform. 

Senate Republicans recently failed to fulfill their seven year campaign promise of repealing and replacing ObamaCare, creating tension with Trump. 

However, McConnell was hopeful a legislative victory was in sight. 

“We’re going to score a big legislative accomplishment here on tax reform in the very near future,” he said. 

— This report was updated at 11:38 a.m.