While McCarthy Tilts at Windmills, Even McConnell Thinks Rep. Greene is a Bridge Too Far

While House Republicans and Minority Leader McCarthy (Q-CA) run away from addressing conspiracy-theory spreading Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene's anti-Semitism, QAnon adherence, and 9/11 Trutherism, the other Republican Leader in Congress has spoken out. Yesterday, Senator Mitch McConnell released a statement calling out Rep. Greene's dangerous rhetoric and conspiracies for what they are:

"Loony lies and conspiracy theories are cancer for the Republican Party and our country. Somebody who's suggested that perhaps no airplane hit the Pentagon on 9/11, that horrifying school shootings were pre-staged, and that the Clintons crashed JFK Jr.'s airplane is not living in reality. This has nothing to do with the challenges facing American families or the robust debates on substance that can strengthen our party."

Notably, Leader McConnell's statement and commentary on the behavior of a Member outside of his chamber reflects the gravity of Rep. Greene's conduct and McConnell's alarm at McCarthy and House Republicans' cowardly inaction.

Wall Street Journal: "Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) sharply criticized Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R., Ga.) over her past comments embracing conspiracy theories, raising the pressure on House Republican leaders to sanction the freshman lawmaker."

Los Angeles Times: "McConnell's explicit condemnation adds to pressure on House Republicans to take action against Greene even as she is claiming renewed support from Trump."

Bloomberg: "Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell took the rare step of weighing in on an internal conflict among House Republicans"

Punchbowl News: "On two occasions Monday evening, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell waded into House GOP politics, backing Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and whacking Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.). Put together, this shows a level of concern with the direction of the party we haven't seen publicly from anyone in the GOP leadership on either side of the dome. […] McConnell diving this deep into House GOP politics is quite rare."

With his statement, McConnell joins other Republican voices including the Republican Jewish Coalition and Rep. Adam Kinzinger in condemning Rep. Greene's conduct. Yet, instead of taking action to address this conspiracist and "cancer" within his own Conference, Leader McCarthy has failed to take a single step to discipline Rep. Greene and has even rewarded her with coveted House Education and Budget Committee assignments. Leader McCarthy must live up to the title of Leader and listen to the growing, bipartisan calls for him to take action.