Mitch McConnell Sets the Script for Lame Duck Spending Omnibus

Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell, bruised by his party’s poor performance in the midterm elections, nonetheless emerged a winner in year-end negotiations on the $1.7 trillion government spending bill, collecting significant policy wins and banking leverage for next year’s battle over raising the nation’s debt limit.

But in a preview of the intra-party squabbling that will contribute to congressional gridlock next year, McConnell’s willingness to strike a year-end deal with Democrats sparked a backlash — and a threat of retaliation — from House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy and hard-core conservatives in his own party.