McConnell Reacts to RNC Censure of Cheney, Kinzinger

By Bradley Cortright February 8, 2022 at 4:44pm

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is signaling that he disagrees with the Republican National Committee’s decision to censure Reps. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) for participating in the committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

During a press conference on Tuesday, McConnell was asked about the censure resolution.

“Let me give you my view of what happened January the 6th,” McConnell responded. “It was a violent insurrection with the purpose of trying to prevent the peaceful transfer of power after a legitimately certified election from one administration to the next. That’s what it was.”

He continued, “With regard to the suggestion that the RNC should be in the business of picking and choosing Republicans who ought to be supported, traditionally the view of the national party committees is that we support all members of our party regardless of their positions on some issues.”

Watch the video below:

.@LeaderMcConnell on RNC censure of Reps. Cheney and Kinzinger: "The issue is whether or not the RNC should be sort of singling out members of our party who may have different views from the majority. That's not the job of the RNC." pic.twitter.com/BMCmRYrjV5

— CSPAN (@cspan) February 8, 2022

When asked if he has confidence in RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, McConnell said, “I do, but the issue is whether or not the RNC should be sort of singling out members of our party who may have different views from the majority. That’s not the job of the RNC.”

McConnell’s comments come days after the RNC voted to censure Kinzinger and Cheney over their participation in the House panel investigating the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

The decision to censure them has been met with disapproval from some Republican lawmakers.

Do you think the RNC should have censured them?

Sens. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) tweeted their disapproval of the censure resolution.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) also weighed in as he noted that the resolution said the RNC wants Republicans to be unified but, he added, “That was not a unifying action.” Meanwhile, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) said Republicans have “issues that we should be focusing on besides censuring two members of Congress because they have a different opinion.”

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