As Democrats in the House of Representatives risk removal from their committee assignments, two Republican senators are losing their committee positions at the direction of their own party leadership.
Mitch McConnell, minority leader of the Senate, is taking action against two of his Republican detractors.
According to Fox News, the Republican Senate leader removed Senators Rick Scott (FL) and Mike Lee (UT) from the Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday.
Both senators are among McConnell’s opponents in the Republican caucus of the Senate.
Speaking to CNN on the committee assignments, Scott characterized McConnell’s move as an act of political revenge.
“He didn’t like that I opposed him because I believe we have to have ideas — fight over ideas. And so, he took Mike Lee and I off the committee.”
According to the Hill, Scott was characterized as “furious” about McConnell’s decision to remove him off the influential senate committee. Scott apparently heard of his expulsion through text message.
GOP Leader Mitch McConnell exercised his authority to remove Sens. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) from the powerful Senate Commerce Committee, according to sources familiar with decision.
Conservatives think it's payback for Scott's leadership challenge in Nov.
— Alex Bolton (@alexanderbolton) February 1, 2023
Scott challenged McConnell for the role of minority leader after Republicans, contrary to predictions, failed to score a “red wave” victory in the midterm elections of 2022.
Scott had produced his own policy program for Republicans to run on in the midterm elections, in contrast to McConnell, who opposed the publishing of a policy platform for Republican senate candidates.
Lee also published a tweet disparaging McConnell following his dismissal from the committee.
Mitch happens. 💅 https://t.co/fs3CVVgUmS
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) February 2, 2023
Conservatives criticized McConnell’s decision to remove his detractors off one of the most coveted Senate committee appointments. CONTINUE READING…