Mitch McConnell slaps down Josh Hawley over campaign cash complaints: report

Senate Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) isn't taking any complaints from Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO).

McConnell has been largely quiet about the fellow members of his party causing their caucus political issues. Today, that changed, according to Punchbowl News.

During the Senate Republican caucus lunch meeting, McConnell attacked Hawley about his bill targeting Citizens United. Hawley is claiming to be fighting back against corporate spending in politics, but his opponent disagrees.

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Hawley's Democratic challenger, Lucas Knuce, said on social media that the bill is performative and nothing more than a "campaign prop." He alleged that Hawley has been taking checks for the maximum donation endorsed by the group Citizens United itself.

McConnell reportedly told Hawley the only reason that he is in the Senate at all is due to the Senate Leadership Fund — which can take unregulated, unlimited contributions for candidates and campaigns.

McConnell is said to have further told the GOP senators that if anyone signs onto the bill, they're going to get challenged from the right in a primary election. It's a direct threat to remove someone from Congress electorally.

The conservative Real Clear Politics reported that Hawley's bill might target corporations but it leaves out so-called nonprofits that can do the same.

"Ironically, however, it would not stop the conservative group that upended modern election law. Citizens United is itself a non-profit and, therefore, wouldn’t be affected," the report said.