Malcolm Rivera
Mitch McConnell, the US Senator for Kentucky, has been a prominent figure in American politics for many years. As the former Senate Republican Leader, he has been considered one of the most influential people in the world by Time magazine. McConnell's political tactics have included delaying or obstructing legislation and judicial appointments, and he has been known to use the filibuster to his advantage. With his power in the Senate, McConnell has influenced judicial appointments, foreign policy, and national security matters. His actions have sparked debates about the constitutionality of his decisions and their impact on American democracy. As McConnell continues to serve his term in the Senate, his influence and decisions remain a significant topic of discussion in US politics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Senate Republican Leader | Mitch McConnell |
| State | Kentucky |
| Political Party | Republican |
| Senate Speech | Mitch McConnell said Americans wanted to make sure Elena Kagan would be independent of influence from the White House as an associate justice |
| Opposition | Mitch McConnell opposed Elena Kagan's confirmation |
| Senate Majority Leader | Mitch McConnell |
| Tactics | Mitch McConnell used the filibuster to delay or obstruct legislation and judicial appointments |
| Refusal | Mitch McConnell refused to hold Senate hearings on Garland's nomination |
| Bill | Mammoth Cave National Park Boundary Adjustment Act of 2025 |
| Bill | A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 |
| Bill | Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act of 2025 |
| Bill | Federal Prisons Accountability Act of 2025 |
| Power | Mitch McConnell was one of the most influential people in the world in 2015, 2019, and 2023 |
| Impeachment | Mitch McConnell voted to acquit Trump in his second impeachment trial |
| Impeachment | As majority leader, Mitch McConnell was responsible for proposing the rules to govern the impeachment trial in the Senate |
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What You'll Learn
The constitutionality of Mitch McConnell's use of the filibuster
The United States Constitution does not explicitly mention the filibuster. However, Mitch McConnell, as minority leader, frequently used the filibuster to delay or obstruct legislation and judicial appointments. This tactic, known as "constitutional hardball," has been criticised by political scientists as a misuse of procedural tools that undermines democracy.
The filibuster is a procedural tactic in the Senate where a senator can speak for an unlimited duration to delay or prevent a vote on a proposed measure. In the Senate, it takes a 60-person majority to invoke cloture and end a filibuster. As the minority leader, Mitch McConnell utilised the filibuster as a strategic tool to shape legislation and judicial appointments.
One notable example of McConnell's use of the filibuster was during the Obama administration. In 2014, when Republicans gained control of the Senate, McConnell became the majority leader and employed what was considered "a near blockade" of Obama's judicial appointments through the use of the filibuster. This resulted in a minimal number of confirmed judges during Obama's final two years as president.
Additionally, in 2016, McConnell proudly obstructed the filling of a Supreme Court vacancy by refusing to hold Senate hearings on Merrick Garland's nomination. This decision was labelled by political scientists and legal scholars as an "unprecedented" and "blatant abuse of constitutional norms."
In 2017, McConnell further demonstrated his commitment to protecting the filibuster by eliminating it for Supreme Court nominations. This move allowed President Trump to confirm Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court without requiring a 60-vote majority.
While some have criticised McConnell's use of the filibuster, he has defended it as a legitimate procedural tool. In an interview, McConnell stated that protecting the filibuster was a key focus, and he worked with then-Senator Kyrsten Sinema to maintain this Senate tradition. Despite opposition from some Democrats and a growing number of Republicans, including President Trump, McConnell successfully preserved the filibuster during his tenure.
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McConnell's refusal to acknowledge Biden's win
Mitch McConnell's refusal to acknowledge Biden's win in the 2020 presidential election was widely criticized as an "abject failure of leadership". As the Senate Majority Leader, McConnell defended Trump's refusal to concede, stating that the president had “every right to look into allegations and request recounts". This stance was in contrast to his previous criticism of Trump's attempts to overturn the election results, which he deemed the president “practically and morally responsible” for.
McConnell's refusal to recognize Biden's victory was seen as enabling a serious threat to democracy. Despite Biden winning 306 electoral votes, 36 more than needed, and with no legitimate challenges raised by Trump's legal team, McConnell's support for Trump's unsubstantiated claims of fraud undermined public confidence in the election. This was particularly concerning given McConnell's influential position as the Senate Majority Leader and his history of obstructing legislation and judicial appointments using tactics such as the filibuster, which has been referred to as a "misuse of procedural tools" that undermines democracy.
In response to McConnell's refusal to acknowledge Biden's win, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the importance of a peaceful transition of power and urged Republican leaders to condemn the president's rhetoric. While a few GOP senators congratulated Biden, most members of the party remained silent or supported Trump's efforts to challenge the election results.
It wasn't until December 15, 2020, that McConnell publicly acknowledged Biden's win, offering his congratulations to the President-elect. This shift came after Biden was expected to end up with about 80 million popular votes, the most any candidate has ever received, and with a record turnout despite the pandemic.
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McConnell's stance on Trump's impeachment
Mitch McConnell, the Senate Republican majority leader, has been a supporter of most of Trump's domestic and foreign policies. However, his stance on Trump's impeachment trials has been contentious.
During Trump's first impeachment trial, McConnell was criticised for saying there would be "total coordination" between the White House and the Senate, with Republican senator Lisa Murkowski stating there should be distance between the two. Despite this, McConnell voted to acquit Trump, stating that the Senate was not invited to act as the "nation's overarching moral tribunal".
In Trump's second impeachment trial, McConnell again voted to acquit, citing the constitutionality of impeaching a former president as the reason. However, he deemed Trump practically and morally responsible for the January 6 United States Capitol attack. McConnell's ability to block witnesses, secure Trump's acquittal, and maintain party unity during the impeachment process was noted by commentators.
In a speech on the Senate floor after the second impeachment trial, McConnell lambasted and condemned Trump, stating that he believed Trump was guilty of the charges levelled against him. He also supported the idea of impeaching Trump for his role in inciting the 2021 Capitol riots, believing it would help Republicans rebuild the party without Trump.
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McConnell's opposition to Elena Kagan's confirmation
Mitch McConnell's power as Senate Majority Leader is not explicitly outlined in the US Constitution. However, he has been known to use his position to influence legislation and judicial appointments. One notable example is his opposition to Elena Kagan's confirmation as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.
In May 2010, President Barack Obama nominated Elena Kagan to succeed the retiring Justice John Paul Stevens. McConnell, a Republican, announced his opposition to Kagan's confirmation. He questioned her independence from the White House and believed she was not forthcoming enough about her "views on basic principles of American constitutional law". McConnell's criticism of Kagan centred around her handling of military recruiters during her time as Dean of Harvard Law School and her work as a law clerk for the late Justice Thurgood Marshall, considered a liberal activist by many Republicans.
Despite McConnell's opposition, Kagan's nomination was ultimately confirmed by a 63-37 vote in the Senate on August 5, 2010. The vote was largely along party lines, with most Democrats supporting Kagan and most Republicans opposing her. However, a few Republicans, including Lindsey Graham, Susan Collins, and Richard Lugar, broke with their party and voted to confirm Kagan.
McConnell's attempt to block Kagan's confirmation is an example of his use of the filibuster to delay or obstruct judicial appointments. The filibuster allows senators to speak indefinitely unless a 60-person majority votes to end the debate and proceed to a vote. This tactic has been described by political scientists as "constitutional hardball," undermining democratic principles by misusing procedural tools.
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McConnell's influence on Obama's judicial appointments
Mitch McConnell's power as a Senate leader is not directly outlined in the US Constitution. However, his influence on Obama's judicial appointments demonstrates how he wields his position to shape the federal judiciary.
McConnell's obstruction of Obama's judicial nominees began early in Obama's presidency. In 2010, McConnell opposed the confirmation of Elena Kagan as an associate justice, citing concerns about her independence from the White House. Despite McConnell's efforts, Kagan was confirmed.
In 2014, when Republicans gained control of the Senate, McConnell became the majority leader and significantly hindered Obama's judicial appointments. He employed tactics such as filibusters and withholding "blue slips" to slow down or block confirmations. This led to Obama having the fewest district and appeals court judges confirmed in his final two years compared to previous presidents.
One of McConnell's most notable actions was his refusal to consider any of Obama's nominees to fill the Supreme Court vacancy left by Justice Scalia's death in 2016. He stated that the next president would fill the vacancy, an unprecedented move that political scientists and legal scholars criticized as a blatant abuse of constitutional norms. This decision allowed President Trump to nominate Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, shifting the court's ideological balance.
McConnell's influence extended beyond the Supreme Court. During Trump's presidency, McConnell facilitated the confirmation of a record number of conservative appeals court judges, solidifying a conservative majority on the federal judiciary for decades.
McConnell's actions regarding Obama's judicial appointments demonstrate his ability to shape the judiciary by obstructing and delaying nominations. While his tactics may not align with the spirit of democratic norms, they highlight the significant influence a Senate leader can exert on the composition of the federal courts.
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Frequently asked questions
Mitch McConnell has been described as a moderate Republican leader. He has been criticised for his use of the filibuster to delay or obstruct legislation and judicial appointments, a practice deemed "'constitutional hardball'" by political scientists. McConnell has also been criticised for his refusal to hold Senate hearings on Garland's nomination, which was considered an "abuse of constitutional norms".
In 2014, McConnell became the majority leader in the Senate and used his power to block Obama's judicial appointments. He also refused to hold Senate hearings on Garland's nomination to the Supreme Court, and eliminated the filibuster on Supreme Court nominees to confirm Neil Gorsuch to the vacancy.
Mitch McConnell, as the majority leader, was responsible for proposing the rules for the impeachment trial of President Trump in the Senate. While McConnell voted to acquit Trump in his second impeachment trial, he deemed Trump "'practically and morally responsible' for the Capitol attack on January 6.
