Mitch McConnell Coverage

In Depth with Dan: Examining the ages of US presidents

The Wall Street Journal just released a new poll about how Joe Biden's age might affect his electability, and found "Biden's age may be a growing problem for his reelection." According to the poll, most Americans think he's too old. Joe Biden is 80 years old. He'll be 81 in November and would be 86 by the end of a second term if he wins reelection. He's already the oldest president in U.s. history.

Concerns over age limits for politicians reignited after Mitch McConnell's second freeze-up

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, 81, froze up again last week during a speech. It's reignited some to question whether there should be age limits for politicians.

Dan Haggerty, WRAL anchor/reporter

Mitch McConnell Suffers an Episode at the Capitol, Freezing Midsentence

WASHINGTON — Sen. Mitch McConnell, the longtime Republican leader who had a serious head injury in a fall earlier this year, froze midsentence during an appearance at his weekly news conference in the Capitol on Wednesday and was briefly escorted away from the microphones to recover.

Carl Hulse, New York Times

Editorial: Bishop and Cawthorn's 'America First' puts freedom last

Wednesday, May 18, 2022 -- Anyone seeking a credible litmus test to determine if an officeholder truly believes in freedom, justice and civility need look no further then how they vote on aid for the Ukrainians' defense of their homes and nation against the unwarranted and unjust deadly aggression by Russia. Two North Carolinians - Republicans Dan Bishop of Charlotte and Madison Cawthorn of Hendersonville - fail the test miserably and in doing so, demonstrate they lack the humanity and integrity to represent the state or nation.

Fact check: Do Senate Republicans want to 'end' Medicare, Social Security?

A television ad produced by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee claims that Republicans in the U.S. Senate are planning to end Social Security and Medicare. PolitiFact checks the claim.

Tom Kertscher, PolitiFact reporter

Former VP Pence helps with cleanup after tornadoes in Kentucky

Former Vice President Mike Pence and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell tour the damage in Mayfield, Ky. after a series of tornadoes devastated the area.

McConnell challenges Garland on DOJ effort to address threats against public school board members and teachers

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell on Saturday told Attorney General Merrick Garland that parents "absolutely should be telling" local schools what to teach amid a debate over mask and vaccine mandates, the role of racial equity education and transgender rights in schools that has become a flash point ahead of the 2022 midterms.

By Paul LeBlanc, CNN

Fact check: Biden says raising debt ceiling is 'usually' bipartisan

Facing the prospect of the federal government running out of money to pay its bills in weeks, President Joe Biden said Senate Republicans are "reckless" and "hypocritical" by refusing to join Democrats in voting to raise the debt limit. PolitiFact checks his claim.

Amy Sherman, PolitiFact reporter

Fact check: Did Pelosi control Capitol police during January 6 attack?

Congressman Rodney Davis (R-Ill) said "Former Capitol Police Chief Steve Sund has testified that Irving was concerned as many have said about the 'optics,' and we know that the speaker's office was calling the shots on all of their actions on Jan. 6." PolitiFact checks his claim.

Kiannah Sepeda-Miller, PolitiFact reporter

Subpoena to Twitter Is Said to Concern a Purported Threat to McConnell, not Nunes

WASHINGTON -- The Trump-era Justice Department's attempt to identify the person behind a Twitter account devoted to mocking Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., stemmed from a U.S. Capitol Police investigation into a purported online threat to Sen. Mitch McConnell, not to Nunes, according to two law enforcement officials.

Charlie Savage, New York Times

Mitch McConnell bashes MLB for Georgia decision

McConnell disagreed with Major League Baseball's ruling to remove the All Star Game from Atlanta.

McConnell urges GOP men to receive vaccine

Mitch McConnell says he recommends the coronavirus vaccine to everyone.

Editorial: Does partisan affiliation trump citizenship and nationhood?

Tuesday, March 2, 2021 -- U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell - like too many of his colleagues - is a political partisan before he's a citizen. In McConnell's case, he is a Republican before he is an American. His loyalty is to Donald Trump ahead of the nation.

SETH EFFRON: Another inauguration comes to heal a divided nation

Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021 -- The pandemic and more presently the fear of deadly violence, has dampened the celebratory atmosphere that typically accompanies an inaugural. Museums, art galleries, restaurants are closed - both for health AND security fears. Festive balls and live performances will be "virtual." The grand display of a peaceful transition of power, the trademark of this nation's stable democracy and an example to the world, will be much subdued. But it will go on and will be no less significant.

Fact check: McConnell right that election was 'not unusually close'

In a speech before what he called "the most important vote I've ever cast," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., rejected challenges to the validity of Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential race.

Louis Jacobson, PolitiFact reporter

Mitch McConnell acknowledges Biden's victory

Mitch McConnell, the Senate's top Republican, has finally acknowledged President-elect Joe Biden's victory.

Editorial: Senate's ideological expedience trumps needs of the nation

Monday, Oct. 12, 2020 -- This morning the United States Senate will open hearings on its top priority. That confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court takes precedence over everything reflects just how oblivious the Senate is to the priorities, and more significantly needs of the American people.

Senior administration official: Virus outbreak likely began at Supreme Court announcement

A senior administration official told CNN's Jake Tapper on Saturday that the cluster of coronavirus cases among top Republican officials likely began at President Donald Trump's Rose Garden event announcing the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.

By Gregory Krieg, Paul P. Murphy CNN

McConnell delays Senate's return as a third senator falls ill

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Mitch McConnell, the majority leader, said Saturday that the Senate would not meet as planned next week after three senators tested positive for the coronavirus, even as he pledged to press ahead to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.

Catie Edmondson, New York Times

Editorial: Just doing enough won't cut it when needs are great

Friday, Aug. 21, 2020 -- It is fine that Sen. Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore say they'll get the needed state match for the additional unemployment funds. But that's just window dressing. It is past time they gave the state's workers a reasonable unemployment system What really is needed is for Richard Burr, Thom Tillis and their fellow U.S. senators to pass a reasonable assistance program that would continue the $600-per-week additional emergency federal unemployment assistance. At a time when citizens need responsiveness, assurance and certainty from their leaders, they are being ignored.

Editorial: Don't shame unemployed; benefits must sustain families

Tuesday, July 28, 2020 -- The costs of dealing with the turmoil of homeless families and the related issues of healthcare; childcare and nutrition will far exceed the temporary continuation of the current $600 a week to those who cannot return to work. This isn't fancy monetary policy. It isn't complicated economic theory. It is basic concern for hard working North Carolinians who through no fault of their own find themselves at the edge of economic collapse.

Fact check: Facebook post says Trump blocked checks to Americans married to immigrants

A Facebook post claims that despite being married to immigrants, President Donald Trump and Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked Americans married to immigrants from receiving stimulus checks. But the post leaves out a lot of context.

Miriam Valverde, PolitiFact reporter

GOP says Democrats funded similar ads in 2014 Senate primary

A political committee linked to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is funding ads and other campaign materials designed to meddle in North Carolina's Democratic Senate primary, the group acknowledged on Friday.

McConnell pushes to speed impeachment trial as Trump requests swift acquittal

Sen. Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, unveiled ground rules Monday for President Donald Trump's impeachment trial that would attempt to speed the proceeding along and refuse to admit the evidence against the president unearthed by the House without a separate vote.

Peter Baker, Maggie Haberman and Nicholas Fandos, New York Times

Editorial: Burr's judicial votes reveal political motives

Monday, Dec. 23, 2019 -- Here's what's been revealed in recent days about Sen. Richard Burr's standards for judicial appointments: Competence, temperament, are nice. Senate procedure and treating colleagues with deference you demand are fine and good. But make no mistake, when it comes to Burr's vote, those qualities and concerns never Trump politics.