A change in Senate leadership will create a greater opportunity to get things done, U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) said in reaction to results from the 2014 midterm election.
Republicans took full control of Congress during the election, gaining their biggest majority in the House of Representatives since 1928 and a majority of seats in the Senate for the first time since 2006.
“Voters sent a clear message (Tuesday),” Blunt said. “They rejected President Obama’s policies, and they rejected the Senate Democrats’ refusal to debate hard issues.”
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) will become Senate majority leader when Republicans take charge in January, replacing Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.). That change, Blunt said, could unclog a flow of bills.
“I hope President Obama will take this chance to work with the new Republican Congress to pass pro-growth policies that help American families and workers,” Blunt said. “I believe we can start by sending the president some of the 300-plus bills that the House has passed, bills that have stalled on Harry Reid’s desk.”
Obama and McConnell both mentioned in post-election interviews that they hope to pass legislation on priorities on which they can both agree, according to multiple reports.
“As president, I have a unique responsibility to try and make this town work,” Obama said at a White House news conference. “So, to everyone who voted, I want you to know that I hear you.”