BREAKING: McConnell Says 'You Have To Get Rid' Of Motion To Vacate Speaker After McCarthy Ouster

At today's Senate Republican leadership press briefing, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) was asked about the next Speaker and Ukraine.

Transcript

00:00 What's your concern about trying to fund the government in five and a half weeks if they

00:07 struggle next door to have a speaker?

00:09 I mean, these two things go hand in hand.

00:10 They can't function without a speaker.

00:11 And the imperative to get the government funded and employed is a problem.

00:15 Well, I think the obvious answer is we need to get a speaker, and hopefully we'll get

00:20 one by next week.

00:22 And I'll repeat what I said earlier, which is I think to do that job for anyone, you

00:29 have to get rid of the motion to vacate because it puts whoever the speaker is in a hammerlock

00:39 of dysfunction, so potential dysfunction.

00:42 Is this a risk?

00:44 I hope whoever emerges insists on getting rid of the motion to vacate.

00:51 Peter McConnell.

00:52 Peter McConnell.

00:53 Peter McConnell.

00:54 What is your strategy going forward to get funding for Ukraine?

00:58 Well, I think it's important, and I think Kevin McCarthy addressed that very well last

01:05 night.

01:06 And it's still a major priority.

01:10 I think the majority of the members of both bodies still support it.

01:15 We need some direction from the administration as to how they intend to go forward.

01:19 Leader McConnell.

01:20 Leader McConnell.

01:21 Leader McConnell.

01:22 I'm sorry, I'm going to have to interrupt you.

01:23 Go ahead, Bruce.

01:24 Jim Jordan, the Congressman running for speaker, says he does not support more Ukraine.

01:25 Does that bother you?

01:26 I mean, do you have a preference for a speaker?

01:31 Look, I think job one right now in the Senate is to get back on the appropriation bills,

01:38 get as many finished as the majority leader will let us.

01:44 And all of these other issues are not going away.

01:47 They'll be dealt with in due time.

01:48 Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

01:49 Thank you.

01:50 Thank you.