‘Bad Idea’: Mitch McConnell Rips Rick Scott’s Proposal To ‘Sunset’ Medicare, Social Security

The feud between Senate Republican Chief Mitch McConnell and GOP Sen. Rick Scott exhibits no indicators of easing.

In a podcast that aired Thursday, McConnell known as the Florida lawmaker’s proposal to “sundown” well-liked profit packages like Medicare and Social Safety a “dangerous concept.” President Joe Biden has been hitting Republicans exhausting on the topic since his State of the Union handle on Tuesday night time.

McConnell sought to clarify that Scott’s proposal doesn’t replicate Republican priorities, and wouldn’t have been a part of the celebration’s agenda even when the GOP had received management of the chamber in November’s midterm elections.

“It’s clearly the Rick Scott plan, it’s not the Republican plan,” McConnell told the “Terry Meiners” podcast, including that Home Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) shares his view.

Scott, in his “Rescue America” plan revealed final 12 months, stated: “All federal laws sunsets in 5 years. If a legislation is value protecting, Congress can go it once more.” This may additionally appear to incorporate Medicare and Social Safety.

McConnell mentioned that each he and McCarthy have made clear the GOP has no intention of touching these profit packages.

“We’re in a extra authoritative place to state what the place of the celebration is than any single senator,” McConnell added.

The Senate minority chief insisted his rejection of Scott’s proposal has nothing to do with the senator’s failed problem to guide Senate Republicans.

“Effectively, this doesn’t have something to do with that,” McConnell mentioned. Scott’s plan, he added, is only a “dangerous concept.”

Earlier this month, McConnell removed Scott from the highly effective Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

McConnell mentioned he expects the problem to be a “problem” for Scott’s 2024 reelection, given Florida’s massive inhabitants of retirees who depend on Social Safety and Medicare advantages.

Biden on Thursday visited Tampa, the place he took one other jab at Scott.

“The very concept the senator from Florida needs to place Social Safety and Medicare on the chopping block each 5 years I discover to be considerably outrageous — so outrageous that you simply won’t even consider it,” Biden informed the viewers.

Biden additionally referenced Scott’s proposal throughout his State of the Union speech, drawing the irritation of GOP members of Congress who didn’t wish to seem tied to it.

Home Republicans face another challenge after demanding Biden make spending cuts earlier than they comply with increase the nationwide debt restrict. They could need to accept narrower coverage victories, as Democrats management the Senate and the White Home, and Biden and different Democrats proceed assailing Republicans for questioning Medicare and Social Safety.