Mitch McConnell: ‘We’ve Been Given a Temporary Lease on Power’ (Video)

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he is looking forward to working with President-elect Donald Trump, but notes that any key differences between Trump and the Republican-majority Senate will be discussed privately.

“The goal will be to try and get on the same page,” McConnell told a roomful of reporters at a news conference Wednesday morning. He congratulated Trump and noted that the Senate “look[s] forward to working with him.”

McConnell noted that “where we have differences of opinion, I expect to discuss them privately.”

In the almost half-hour news conference, McConnell answered a range of questions on key topics, such as the budget, the Supreme Court vacancy and Trump’s plan to build a wall on the border between Mexico and the United States.

“Border security is important,” he said of Trump’s plan. “I want to try to achieve border security in whichever way is the most effective.”

McConnell also addressed a crucial aspect of the future of the country: the Affordable Care Act.

Repealing the ACA is a “pretty high item on our agenda,” McConnell said of the Senate. “I would be shocked if we didn’t move forward and keep our commitment to the American people.”

McConnell also answered questions relating to the “war on coal,” criminal justice reform and what to expect from President Obama’s “lame-duck” period before Trump takes office.

Overall, McConnell expressed hope for the relationship between the executive and legislative branches of government. “In a day when people were voting for change, they didn’t decide they wanted to change the Republican Senate,” he said. “I think we all agree this is a stunning election.”

He noted, however, that there may be a time limit to any potential changes. “I don’t think we should act as if we are going to be in the majority forever,” he said. “We’ve been given a temporary lease on power, if you will.”

Watch the full news conference below:

—Posted by Emma Niles