Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was greeted with warm applause after he lauded the life of Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings during a stirring eulogy in Baltimore on Friday but received a less-than-warm greeting from one funeral attendee.
Congressional leaders lined up to greet the pallbearers and other close friends and family of Cummings, who served in Congress for more than 20 years and was known for his extensive work in the quest for civil rights.
One pallbearer, Bobby Rankin, shook hands and offered hugs as he headed down the line of distinguished lawmakers. But after greeting Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Rankin skipped the outstretched hand of McConnell to hug House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. He had not skipped shaking the hand of House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, however.
The GOP Majority Leader glanced at his Democratic colleague with an expression of surprise at being snubbed by the pallbearer. Schumer responded to McConnell with a brief, sly smile. McConnell took the podium to fondly remember his long-time congressional colleague just moments later.
Though Cummings and McConnell were on different political wavelengths, McConnell praised the late congressman’s career and humble beginnings and his dedicated life as an influential lawmaker.
“He knew there was only one reason why a son of sharecroppers, a child who had literally had to bear the injuries of bigotry, and segregation, could graduate from law school, and eventually chair a powerful committee in Congress,” said McConnell. “Only one reason, because principled leaders had fought to give kids like him a chance.”
