House Speaker Nancy Pelosi referred to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell as “Moscow Mitch” during a political speech in Illinois on Wednesday as she chided the Kentucky Republican for blocking an array of legislation passed by her chamber this year.
Speaking at a Democratic event in Springfield, Pelosi (D-Calif.) recounted a series of bills passed by the House, including measures raising the minimum wage, reforming elections and expanding health care.
“We sent our legislation to the Senate,” Pelosi said. “Moscow Mitch says that he is the ‘grim reaper.’ Imagine describing yourself as the ‘grim reaper,’ that he’s going to bury all this legislation.”
McConnell has used the term “grim reaper” to describe his role in killing what he has characterized as far-left legislation coming over from the Democrat-led House.
McConnell, meanwhile, has chafed at the growing use of the nickname “Moscow Mitch,” which was coined by MSNBC host Joe Scarborough in response to McConnell blocking House bills last month aimed at preventing foreign interference in U.S. elections.