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