As the 116th Congress comes to close, its leaders remain at an impasse on both legislative negotiations and how to interact. But once conservatives balked at his initial $1 trillion proposal, McConnell again retreated and allowed Mnuchin to deal with Pelosi and Schumer. With McConnell as his chief obstacle, Biden will need some charm offensive — but not from Pelosi or Schumer. “I don’t think Mnuchin makes any final deal without checking in with McConnell,” House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) The longest serving Senate GOP leader in history, McConnell has earned implicit trust from most corners of his conference.

Source: Washington Post December 19, 2020 22:07 UTC