McConnell Throws GOP Senator Under the Bus Over His Plan to 'Raise Taxes on Half the American People'

Last month, far-right Republican Senator Rick Scott of Florida, who also chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), released a lengthy 11 point plan describing what Republicans would do if they regained a congressional majority in the 2022 midterms.

The plan included some wildly unpopular platforms. Scott vowed that a Republican Senate would ban government documents from asking for someone's race or sexual orientation, even on census forms, and that they would end diversity training in the military. But most consequentially, Scott vowed the Senate would force all Americans—even the poorest in the nation—to pay income tax. This would raise taxes on millions of Americans, despite conservatives' supposed opposition to expanded taxation.

The document didn't sit well with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who had earlier said Republicans wouldn't be releasing an agenda ahead of the 2022 midterms. Not only was Scott's document in defiance of that, but McConnell also privately chastised Scott for supposedly giving Democrats ammo to use in midterm ads, where they're almost certain to emphasize Scott's calls for universal income tax.

The two men appeared before the press with some of their other Republican colleagues recently, and Scott managed to leave just in time before McConnell was asked about their conversations.

Watch below.

Asked specifically about the tax increases in Scott's plan, McConnell responded (unaware that Scott left):

"Well, Senator Scott is behind me and he can address the issue of his particular measure. If we're fortunate enough to have the majority next year, I'll be the majority leader. I'll decide in consultation with my members what to put on the floor. Let me tell you what will not be a part of our agenda. We will not have as part of our agenda a bill that raises taxes on half of the American people."

The comments didn't reflect kindly on Scott.

Not that people trust Mitch McConnell.

Republicans are favored to win back a congressional majority in November, but those chances will likely dwindle if they run on raising taxes for millions.