ICYMI: McConnell’s Political Allies Got “Special Path” At Department of Transportation, Raising Ethics Flags

“that starts to rise to the level of feeling more like corruption to the average American”

A new story this week raises even more concerns about Senator Mitch McConnell’s self-serving politics and ethical conflicts of interest. In the fourth such report on McConnell in the span of a month, POLITICO reveals that McConnell’s wife, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, “gave a special advantage” to Kentucky projects backed by McConnell’s political allies, creating a “clear conflict” that scholars say “starts to rise to the level of feeling more like corruption to the average American.”

More here on how McConnell used his ties to the Department of Transportation to serve himself and boost his political allies:

• MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow:

Rachel Maddow: “Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation, she hires her husband’s former campaign aide to be her own staffer… to help pave the way for Transportation Department-funded projects in her husband’s home state, things that would be particularly valuable to him as he runs for re-election.”

• POLITICO: Chao created special path for McConnell’s favored projects
• The Hill: Grants for projects favored by McConnell raise ethical questions for Elaine Chao: report
• Vanity Fair: McConnell’s Wife Gave Him A Special Reelection Present: $78 Million In Federal Funding
• Business Insider: Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao reportedly steered $78 million in federal grants to Kentucky, her husband Sen. Mitch McConnell’s home state
• Vox: Elaine Chao and Mitch McConnell’s potential conflict of interest, explained
• Newsweek: Mitch McConnell, Elaine Chao Lambasted By Ethics Experts For Possible Conflicts Of Interest
• Talking Points Memo: Chao Paved Way For Husband To Get Funds For Special KY Projects Before 2020

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