McConnell Chose Britt To Deliver The Republican Rebuttal

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Soon after she was sworn in, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell tapped Britt to be one of the few advisers who sit in on weekly leadership meetings. At the time, she said she believed she brought a critical perspective that was often missing in Washington, not only because of her age but also as the only Republican senator who is a mother of school-age children. Announcing last week that Britt would give the party response, McConnell called Britt “an unapologetic optimist” and said she “wasted no time in becoming a leading voice.”

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In the hours after the death of California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat, she exchanged texts with Democratic Sen. Patty Murray, the chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and asked if she could sit with the other women senators as they paid tribute to Feinstein on the Senate floor that morning.

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Maine Sen. Susan Collins, the top Republican on the Appropriations panel, said that she’s thrilled to have Britt representing the party. “She is a refreshing breath of fresh air and brings energy and a different perspective to our caucus, which I think is really important,” Collins said.

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Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, a Democrat who leads the Appropriations Committee’s homeland security subcommittee with Britt, says, “She’s an all-star and Republicans know it.” Murphy, who has participated in bipartisan negotiations on several issues, said he’s hopeful that Britt is “going to end up being one of the people that ends up trying to help make the Senate a place that works.”

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Britt has so far preferred to operate more on the inside, forming relationships with colleagues behind the scenes and waiting to make her first speech on the Senate floor.

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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), who announced this week he would be stepping down from his leadership role at the end of the year, has identified a GOP weakness among suburban woman and independents. Two of McConnell’s aides attended football games with Britt and she joined his leadership team as an adviser last year, as they may be eyeing her to be a future GOP leader.

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