Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., introduced his wife, Transportation Secretary nominee Elaine Chao, at her hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee Wednesday. McConnell praised his wife and also cracked up the room with a few jokes.
He started by pointing out that he was not the first Senate majority leader to introduce his wife to the committee. Sen. Bob Dole, R-Kan., introduced his wife, Elizabeth, when she was also nominated to head the Transportation Department in 1983. McConnell then quoted a joke his predecessor cracked at the time.
“I feel a bit like Nathan Hale: I regret that I have but one wife to give for my nation’s infrastructure,” he said, drawing laughter.
McConnell then applauded his wife for her “great judgment,” drawing further laughs.
“I know she is going to do a fantastic job” as transportation secretary, he said.
