McConnell: Gregg Appointment Will Not Change Senate Make Up

By: Michelle Levi
Topics: In The News

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said he is confident the expected appointment of Republican Senator Judd Gregg (R-NY) as Secretary of Commerce would "have no impact on the [Senate's] balance of power," on "Face the Nation" this morning.

"Senator Gregg has assured me that if this were to happen it would not change the make up of the Senate," Mr. McConnell told Bob Schieffer. "Whoever is appointed to replace him would caucus with the Republicans."

New Hampshire's Democratic Governor Jeanne Shaheen, in this scenario, would have to appoint a Republican replacement. Pushed by Schieffer whether this will definitely be the case, McConnell reiterated that Senator Gregg told him his appointment would "not alter the make up of the Senate in terms of the majority and the minority."

Note: A previous version of this post misidentified Senator Gregg's home state. The name of the current governor of New Hampshire has also been corrected.

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by PacificGatePost February 1, 2009 9:21 PM EST: Should recipients of taxpayer favors continue to send jobs offshore?
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http://pacificgatepost.blogspot.com/2009/01/should-bailout-beneficiaries-be.html
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Where are the controls?

Where is the common sense?; Reply to this comment


by factavia February 1, 2009 7:03 PM EST: You have to be kidding? A Democrat appoint a Republican to the Senate, especially if it is the 60th seat. Remember, the Congressional Dems assured GHW Bush that they would not attack his "no new taxes" pledge is he supported a tax increase? That''s exactly what Clinton did.; Reply to this comment


by jana118 February 1, 2009 4:39 PM EST: Sen. Gregg is from NH, not NY. Someone needs an editor/fact checker.; Reply to this comment


by jana118 February 1, 2009 4:38 PM EST: Sen. Gregg is from NH, not NY. Someone needs an editor/fact checker.; Reply to this comment


by scclemons February 1, 2009 2:52 PM EST: Jeanne Shaheen is Senator from NH.

John Lynch is Governor.

http://***********/bokypj; Reply to this comment


by ninbus February 1, 2009 2:49 PM EST: The governor of NH is JOHN LYNCH, not JEANNE SHAHEEN. She was governor of NH from 1997-2003 and is now a senator from the Granite State.; Reply to this comment