However, all Democratic senators supported the proposal, which led McConnell to filibuster his own proposal. In July 2016, after Trump had criticized the parents of Capt. Rep. Michael G. Grimm, R-N.Y., has announced his intention to resign, effective Jan. 5. Where's the balance? [135], In October 2018, McConnell said if a Supreme Court vacancy were to occur during Trump's 2020 re-election year he would not follow his 2016 decision to let the winner of the upcoming presidential election nominate a justice. [24] He then went to work for a Louisville law firm, Segal, Isenberg, Sales and Stewart, for a few years. He took vacation when we needed more aid. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts. During his Senate tenure, McConnell led opposition to stricter campaign finance laws,[177] culminating in the Supreme Court ruling that partially overturned the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain-Feingold) in 2010. [235][236][237], In 2015 and 2019, Time listed McConnell as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Humayun Khan, a Muslim-American soldier who was killed in Iraq, McConnell said, "All Americans should value the patriotic service of the patriots who volunteer to selflessly defend us in the armed services." [168], As the leader of the Senate Republicans, McConnell has been at the receiving end of much of the criticism and disapproval that Republicans receive from Democratic voters, receiving near uniform disapproval from left-of-center voters. Henneberger: What was your first reaction when you heard that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg had died? When a popular bipartisan measure sponsored by Republican Sen. John McCain and Democratic Sen. Russell D. Feingold was signed into law by President Bush in 2002, McConnell promptly sued the Federal Election Commission, calling the law a violation of free speech. I don't believe the job of government is to legislate Catholic doctrine for everyone to follow. About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. [151] This was the longest government shutdown in American history.[18][152]. Something I ask myself every day, given everything that's going on in this country, is why are the Republicans, from Donald Trump to Mitch McConnell, still doing as well as they are? The church was chosen because it was close enough for JFKs widow, Jackie, to walk to it in the procession with his coffin, according to the National Catholic Reporter. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and her husband, Paul Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and his wife, former Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, with booklet, and his wife, Iris Weinshall, attend Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle Jan. 20 in Washington before President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration. WebMitch McConnell is a longtime Republican U.S. On February 9 the Senate trial began, and McConnell later voted to acquit Trump, arguing that they had no power to convict and disqualify a former officeholder who is now a private citizen; Trump was ultimately acquitted. [111], In 2014, Republicans gained control of the Senate, and McConnell became majority leader; he used his newly heightened power to start what was considered "a near blockade of Obama's judicial appointments." Last week, President Joe Biden and a bipartisan delegation of Senators announced an infrastructure deal, and Biden went on to say that his signature on that deal would be linked to an additional, Democrats-only "human infrastructure" bill. [12], In 1956, his family moved to Louisville, Kentucky, where he attended duPont Manual High School. @LarryB39318071 @SeanSouthardKY How how'd that last election with Amy McGrath and Mitch McConnell go? If removal becomes impossible, conviction becomes insensible. [145][146][147], By January 23, McConnell had blocked four Senate bills to reopen the government and a bill funding the Homeland Security Department through February 8. More than two years ago, I called attention toresearchby political scientist Lee Drutman. Mitch McConnell has frequently bragged about being the grim reaper in the Senate by killing legislation passed by Democrats in the House of Representatives. States currently cannot declare bankruptcy. The election race was not decided until the last returns came in, when McConnell won by 3,437 votes out of more than 1.2 million votes cast, just over 0.4%. My faith is a personal thing; I don't try to impose it on others. [141] Several spending bills were approved that August; the approvals were seen as a victory for McConnell in his attempts to prevent another government shutdown. [11], In 1950, when he was eight, McConnell moved with his family from Athens to Augusta, Georgia, where his father, who was in the Army, was stationed at Fort Gordon. Enough of themvoted for Bidento put him in the White House. [195] He faced Democratic Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes in the general election, and defeated Grimes, 56.240.7%. [37] McConnell is the second Kentuckian to serve as a party leader in the Senate (after Alben W. Barkley led the Democrats from 1937 to 1949)[13] and is the longest-serving U.S. senator from Kentucky in history. "[56], In 2012, McConnell proposed a measure allowing President Obama to raise the debt ceiling, hoping some Democratic senators would oppose the measure, thus demonstrating disunity among Democrats. [15] In 1964, at the age of 22, he attended civil rights rallies,[16] and interned with Senator John Sherman Cooper. [36] In June 2018 he became the longest-serving Senate Republican leader in the history of the United States. [189][190] He was the first Republican to win a statewide election in Kentucky since 1968, and benefited from the popularity of President Ronald Reagan, up for re-election, who was supported by 60% of Kentucky voters in the same year. It was a connection to what I knew, and what I knew to be true.'. In September 2019 the U.S. House of Representatives launched an impeachment inquiry against Trump following allegations that he had extorted a foreign country to investigate Joe Biden, his political rival (in 2020 Biden became the Democratic presidential nominee). U.S. Senate candidate Amy McGrath rallies with supporters during a campaign stop at Woodland Park in Lexington, Kentucky, Aug. 25. According to The New York Times, Obama's final two years as president saw 18 district court judges and one appeals court judge confirmed, the fewest since President Harry S. Truman. [145][146][147] Privately, McConnell had advised Trump against initiating the shutdown. If this election were overturned by mere allegations from the losing side, our democracy would enter a death spiral. WebMitch McConnell (from left), Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi are set to join Joe Biden for Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew before his inauguration. Judge Kavanaugh will be voted on here on the Senate floor. They cared for others, and that was how I grew up, with this being something that we do. What is more, popular support for programs like child care will only increase over time. Both confirmations were contentious, with Barretts being particularly controversial as it came in an election year. While McConnell stated that he would hold a trial, he attracted controversy when he announced that he was coordinating with the White House about the proceedings. His foreign policy views have included support of sanctions on Cuba, Iran and Russia,[181] opposition to the Iran nuclear deal and support of Israel. "[79] On January 6, during the Electoral College vote count, McConnell spoke out against the efforts of Trump and his allies to overturn the election: Trump claims the election was stolen. [25][24] During the same time period, he taught a night class on political science at the University of Louisville. Six nonvoting delegates who represent U.S. territories and the District of Columbia are not counted in this analysis, but they are included in this sortable table. I think you got the better deal! Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. We've received your submission. She was very smart, and ended up being one of the first women to graduate from the University of Kentucky Medical School. Because to me, making a difference for our country is getting the one man out who is literally hurting our democracy, is perverting it right now, and has been for a long time. He also said why he voted to acquit: "ArticleII, Section4 must have force. Social issues are wildly popular with big donors, on Twitter, with special interest groups in Washington and with the kinds of people upper middle class, highly educated, not worried about losing their job who work on congressional staffs and in a new administration and in the media. She grew up Irish Catholic in Kentucky, with parents who had briefly considered religious life and priesthood. [198][199] During the campaign, McConnell and McGrath agreed to one hour-long, socially distanced debate on October 12. Over the next several years, McConnell helped block a number of Democrat-led initiatives, including gun-control measures and increases to the minimum wage. [180] McConnell has supported stronger border security, free trade agreements and reductions in taxes. [4][5], McConnell was born on February 20, 1942, to Julia Odene "Dean" (ne Shockley; 19191993) and Addison Mitchell "A.M." McConnell II (19171990). In 2005 he served on a bipartisan Senate committee that made recommendations for broad changes to the Department of Homeland Security, the government agency charged with protecting the country against terrorist attacks in the wake of the September 11 attacks of 2001. Political scientists have referred to McConnell's use of the filibuster as "constitutional hardball", referring to the misuse of procedural tools in a way that undermines democracy. Omissions? [31][32] On February 12, 1999, he was one of fifty senators to vote to convict and remove Bill Clinton from office. By Tim Ott Updated: Mar 26, 2020. We'd never see the whole nation accept an election again. AP/Evan Vucci Maybe Following the 2008 election of Pres. How would all of that be reflected in your service as a senator? Here's what's the usual partisan politics and what isn't", "Mitch McConnell filibusters himself after Dems call bluff", "McConnell went 'nuclear' to confirm Gorsuch. "I don't know that people should be questioning people's personal faith," McGrath said about nominee Amy Coney Barrett. [209][210] His second wife, whom he married in 1993, is Elaine Chao, Secretary of Labor under President George W. Bush and Secretary of Transportation under President Donald Trump. [157] It passed both houses of Congress with bipartisan support. Ditch Mitch, a PAC founded by Ryan Aquilina, a digital strategist for progressive campaigns, has already raised $3 million to supplement the Democratic effort to oust McConnell. [19][24] He also served as acting United States Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legislative Affairs under President Ford in 1975. '"[119][120] In April 2018, McConnell said the decision not to act upon the Garland nomination was "the most consequential decision I've made in my entire public career". 'Mitch McConnell has built a system and a Congress he has built it! ", "Morning Consult's Senator Approval Rankings: Q2 2019, Senator Lookup", "America's Most and Least Popular Senators: McConnell loses spot as least popular senator", "Susan Collins surpasses Mitch McConnell as the most unpopular senator in a new poll", "Committee Assignments of the 118th Congress", "Framing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act:A Content Analysis of Democratic and Republican Twitter Feeds", "McConnell vows to be 'grim reaper' of socialist Dem proposals", "Mitch McConnell: 'For the first time in my memory, I agree with Nancy Pelosi', "U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 115th Congress 1st Session", "McConnell: Troop Surge In Iraq Showing Early Signs Of Success", "Sen. Mitch McConnell's Political Life, Examined, In 'The Cynic', "Democrats Have Net Gain of Two Senate Seats", "McConnell Attacks Huddleston Part 1 video", "McConnell Attacks Huddleston Part 2 video", "Mitch McConnell Likes The Corny Wordplay With His Political Opponents' Last Names", "Statistics of the congressional election of November 6, 1990", "96 PRESIDENTIAL and CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION STATISTICS", "Conservative challenger takes on top Senate Republican", "McConnell Records Weakest Kentucky US Senate Incumbent Primary Victory in 75+ Years", "Mitch McConnell Wins Re-Election, A.P. The number of federal judicial vacancies more than doubled comparing the figure near the end of Obama's term to the figure at the end of George W. Bush's term. That's such a Catholic concept, the common good. WebMcConnell, a key ally to President Trump, is facing off against democratic challenger Amy McGrath, who is a retired Marine combat pilot. [172] An average of polls by the Economist/YouGov, Politico/Morning Consult, and Harvard-Harris from the end of July through August 2019 (7/318/27), was 23% favorable and 48% unfavorable (25.0 spread). People don't know what to believe. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Although some criticized his partys use of the filibuster, he argued that Democrats refused to negotiate. Also known as: Addison Mitchell McConnell, Jr. Chelsey Parrott-Sheffer was a research editor at Encyclopdia Britannica. In November, after Republicans lost control of the Senate, they elected McConnell as the minority leader. In 2016 McConnell caused controversy when he refused to bring Obamas Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland, to a vote in the Senate. If someone were to say to me, "Amy, you're going to run this race, you're going to have $60 million in attack ads spread about you to smear your name by your opponent and at the end of the day you're going to win and we're going to get Mitch McConnell out, but you're not going to be a senator," I would still be OK with that, 110%. "[69] In private, McConnell reportedly expresses disdain for Trump[70] and "abhors" his behavior. Biden will be the second Catholic to become US president. Yes, I'm very worried, and I do not believe it's going to get better until we get the people who are there out, which is why I'm for term limits and some other structural changes. [101], McConnell also said that Trump remains subject to the country's criminal and civil laws, stating, "He didn't get away with anything yet." As Senate Majority Leader, he led the passing of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act in 2018. He was re-elected in 1981 against Jefferson County Commissioner Jim "Pop" Malone, 51% to 47%, outspending Malone 31, and occupied this office until his election to the U.S. Senate in 1984. The Republican talking point is that Amy McGrath and every other Democrat wants to make sure that a woman can get an abortion right up until the moment she gives birth. American politician and lawyer (born 1942), "Senator McConnell" redirects here. My mother has always been someone who was going against the grain, particularly as a woman. "[132] Kavanaugh was confirmed on October 6. But boy, I'll tell you, he'll go to bat to ram through a Supreme Court justice. A few weeks ago, I called attention to thePro Publica reporton the many perfectly legal ways the richest Americans, people likes Jeff Bezos and Warren Buffett, avoid paying any taxes. In comparison, the final two years of the presidencies of George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Ronald Reagan had between 55 and 70 district court judges each confirmed and between 10 and 15 appeals court judges confirmed. WebSenate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said that a constitutionally dubious double standard is being applied to religious communities and protestors during a Senate That's not how nature works. The Catholic Church's gender ideology is complementarian and binary. He defeated Bruce Lunsford by 6%. President, you will not fill the Supreme Court vacancy. [223], In March 2023, McConnell was hospitalized after a fall, and was treated for a concussion. The CARES Act was the largest economic stimulus package in U.S. history,[156] amounting to 10% of total U.S. gross domestic product. [86][87] He also declared that there was "no chance" the Senate would convict Trump and remove him from office. ", The Cynic: The Political Education of Mitch McConnell, "Chapter Four: You can start too late, but never too soon", "Senator's pet issue: money and the power it buys", "Mitch McConnell's 30-Year Senate Legacy Leaves Kentucky In The Lurch", "Ford Picks Thornburgh to Head Criminal Division", "Register, Department of Justice and the Courts of the United States", "Party polarization america war over two social contracts", "Mitch McConnell, America's No. Whether they respect precedent. [138], The United States federal government shut down October 117, 2013, following a failure to enact legislation to fund the government. [217], In 1997, he founded the James Madison Center for Free Speech, a Washington, D.C.-based legal defense organization. He has the highest level of classification of any member of Congress. His time in service has also been the subject of criticism because his discharge was accelerated after his father placed a call to Senator. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). What follows is a lightly edited Q&A with McGrath about her faith, her Senate race and her concerns about the country. So sadness, but also how great she was and how much of an American patriot she was. She was a giant. He has built a system and a Congress he has built it! WebDistinctly Catholic: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and his wife, former Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, with And when I went into the military, my Catholic faith was a way for me to connect back home. I don't know that people should be questioning people's personal faith. [48] According to Purdue University political scientist Bert A. Rockman, "pure party line voting has been evident now for some time but rarely has the tactic of 'oppositionism' been so boldly stated as McConnell did. [6][9] He received treatment at the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation. [56][59][52][62], Political scientists Hacker and Pierson describe the rationale behind McConnell's filibusters, "Filibusters left no fingerprints. That's where I think we should go. [112][113] Later in a 2019 interview, McConnell credited himself for the large number of judicial vacancies created in the last two years of Obama's presidency. [28] [29], In 1977, McConnell was elected the Jefferson County judge/executive, the top political office in Jefferson County, Kentucky, at the time, defeating incumbent Democrat Todd Hollenbach, III, 53% to 47%. 'When I was stationed all around the world, living in tents or air stations, it was going to Mass that connected me to home. Mark Wilson/Getty Images He grew While supportive of many of Trump's domestic and foreign policies, McConnell was critical of Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, and despite voting to acquit on Trump's second impeachment trial on reasons related to the constitutionality of impeaching a former president, deemed him "practically and morally responsible" for the January 6 United States Capitol attack. There [are] only extreme situations that are medical crises [where such late-stage abortions are performed.] It's hard for me. We have raised $63,685 from 404 supporters. Later that day, McConnell declared that for Trump's impeachment trial, he would be in "total coordination with the White House counsel's office" and Trump's representatives. The best rating since that time was in the fourth quarter of 2018, when he had a 38% positive rating and a 47% negative rating among Kentuckians. Did he ever say thank you? The next day Congress convened to certify Bidens victory, and McConnellwho remained majority leader, awaiting the swearing in of the new senators from Georgiagave an impassioned speech against overturning the results, stating that to do so would send the countrys democracy into a death spiral. Shortly thereafter the proceedings were halted as Trump supporters stormed the Capitol. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Biden inauguration priest resigns as Santa Clara U. president, Sins of the father? [60][61] Political scientists noted that "by slowing action even on measures supported by many Republicans, McConnell capitalized on the scarcity of floor time, forcing Democratic leaders into difficult trade-offs concerning which measures were worth pursuing. Mitch McConnell shot them down", "Mitch McConnell could end the shutdown. I don't believe the government should be making personal and family decisions like that. [53] In April 2017, Senate Republicans led by McConnell eliminated the filibuster for Supreme Court nominations in order to end debate on the nomination of Neil Gorsuch. We are 31.8% of the way to our goal! Yes, I want to win, but it's not all about winning. Their names are marked with asterisks. First seen as a long shot, she has been gaining on McConnell, with the most recent polls showing her [No one question, but it's hard seeing the despair of voters who have given up on all politicians, which is something she had never planned or hoped to be.]. Sen. Mitch McConnell on Wednesday was comfortably reelected as the GOP leader in the upper chamber despite a challenge from Rick Scott -- his first in 15 years [24], In 1971, McConnell returned to Louisville, where he worked for Tom Emberton's candidacy for Governor of Kentucky, which was unsuccessful. In late March McConnell oversaw the Senates approval of a relief bill that was later signed into law. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. We have reasonable restrictions on abortion as outlined in Roe v. Wade. They might think that it's wrong, but many, many Kentuckians do not believe government should be that deciding factor. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. in political science in 1964 with honors. Janet Yellen urges mass spending on COVID-19 recovery at c Georgia player under fire after racist remark during 2023 NFL Draft on livestream, Megyn Kelly sports red MAGA-style hat in poolside pic, Dad of crying infant that triggered Texas killing spree 'never thought' gunman would fire, Gayle King says she doesnt have a desire to retire: I want more work, WNBA star Brittney Griner is heading to the Met Gala, Mariah Carey celebrates Moroccan and Monroes 12th birthday: My babies, NY Post Sports Reporter Zach Braziller breaks down the Knicks game 1 loss to the Heat, Elon Musk Tells Bill Maher Woke Mind Virus Is Dangerous On Real Time, Kendall Jenner rocks sheer top, fur mini skirt for date night with Bad Bunny. He has said his time with Cooper inspired him to run for the Senate later in life. As you would expect, voters who are conservative on both social and economic issues constitute the base of the GOP, and voters who are liberal on both social and economic issues constitute the Democratic Party base. I always ask groups when I talk to them, does anybody even think Mitch McConnell has a plan [on how to respond to COVID-19]? [118], In an August 2016 speech in Kentucky, McConnell made reference to the Garland nomination, saying that "one of my proudest moments was when I looked Barack Obama in the eye and I said, 'Mr. In addition, tax increases, which McConnell and the Republicans opposed, were also absent. [107] In August, McConnell called Sotomayor "a fine person with an impressive story and a distinguished background" but added he did not believe she would withhold her personal or political views while serving as a justice. Barrett was confirmed on October 26, 2020. When I was stationed all around the world, living in tents or air stations, it was going to Mass that connected me to home. "[58][59], McConnell worked to delay and obstruct health care reform and banking reform, two of the most notable pieces of legislation that Democrats navigated through Congress early in Obama's tenure. LIVE ON BLOOMBERG. I mean, Kentucky is hurting right now. [20][22] His brief time in service has repeatedly been put at issue by his political opponents during his electoral campaigns. Thank you, Mitch! Mine gave me a subscription to Human Events. In February the Senate easily acquitted the president. "[85], On December 14, 2019, McConnell met with White House counsel Pat Cipollone and White House legislative affairs director Eric Ueland. [105] According to the Los Angeles Times, McConnell brought about an "extraordinary two-year slowdown in judicial confirmations," detailing 22 confirmations of Obama's judicial nominees, the lowest since President Truman in 19511952. And Gerth should learn to love such political disagreements sooner rather than later. Updates? He graduated from the University of Louisville in 1964 and from the University of Kentucky Law School in 1967. WebBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) Pope Francis plunged into both sides of Russia's war with Ukraine on Saturday, greeting some of the 2.5 million Ukrainian refugees who have fled Here's the History", "McConnell: House coronavirus bill an 'ideological wish list', "The twisted politics of Washington's coronavirus response", "McConnell tells GOP to pass House coronavirus bill: 'Gag and vote for it anyway', Senate passes $2-trillion economic stimulus package, The coronavirus stimulus package versus the Recovery Act, "All of the COVID-19 stimulus bills, visualized", "McConnell Says He Favors Letting States Declare Bankruptcy", "With Go-Slow Approach, Republicans Risk Political Blowback on Pandemic Aid", "In Stimulus Talks, McConnell Is Outside the Room and in a Tight Spot", "McConnell: Time to restart coronavirus talks", "McConnell goes hands-off on coronavirus relief bill", "Senate Democrats block $300 billion coronavirus stimulus package, leaving little hope for relief before November", "Senate Republicans fail to advance coronavirus stimulus bill as stalemate drags on", "How McConnell is maneuvering to keep the Senate in GOP hands and navigating Trump", "Schumer says Democrats won't fold to GOP's 'emaciated' stimulus bill", "Senate fails to advance slimmed-down GOP coronavirus relief bill", "Which States Give Their US Senators the Lowest Marks? I grew up in Northern Kentucky, Irish Catholic family on both sides. according to the National Catholic Reporter. The corruption in Washington has gotten worse and worse, and a lot of that is because of all the money in politics in a post-Citizens United world. These are fundamentally Catholic principles. Addison Mitchell McConnell III[1] (born February 20, 1942) is an American politician and retired attorney serving as the senior United States senator from Kentucky, a seat he has held since 1985. Shortly thereafter schools and businesses began closing across the country because of the coronavirus pandemic, and the economy entered a downturn that rivaled the Great Depression. Clive Crook. [59], In January 2017, Republican president Donald Trump nominated Neil Gorsuch to fill the Supreme Court vacancy left after Scalia's death. The majority leader also backed various policies supported by the president, perhaps most notably a massive tax-reform bill that was passed in 2017. "When you question somebody, it should be on their interpretation of the laws. Amy McGrath at an event in Los Angeles Dec. 14, 2019 (Flickr/Louise Palanker). Mitt Romney, Mitch McConnell and Team DeSantis are now all working together to gaslight people into believing that *Donald The practice either of posting B-roll footage online for usage by PACs, or of lampooning the B-roll was termed "McConnelling". [128] By March 2020, McConnell had contacted an unknown number of judges, encouraging them to retire prior to the 2020 election. His comments were met with sharp criticism from various state and local officials. The Catholic Church's gender ideology is complementarian and binary. that is so polarized that the Supreme Court is now a weapon.'. The following year he introduced a compromise bill that brought the Republican and Democratic parties closer to agreement about which interrogation techniques could be used by U.S. authorities on detainees held as suspected terrorists or terrorist sympathizers. One of his ancestors fought on the American side in the American Revolutionary War. [129][130] He confirmed 260 federal judges over the course of Trump's four-year term, shifting the federal judiciary to the right. Says, as Republicans Make Election Day Push", "Amy McGrath wins Kentucky Senate Democratic primary, CNN projects", "Debate set in McConnell-McGrath Senate race in Kentucky", "Amy McGrath vs. Mitch McConnell debate is on", "Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell to debate challenger Amy McGrath", "Religious Leaders Press McConnell on Social Issues", How Mitch McConnell became Trump's enabler-in-chief, "How Daughters of High-Profile Republicans Became Progressive Icons", "Unimpressed with post office banking trial, backers eye new initiative", "Girding for a Fight, McConnell Enlists His Wife", "Chao confirmed as transportation secretary", "Trump nominates brother-in-law of Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell and Transportation Secretary Chao to run pension agency", "Want to run an agency?